Foto: Rajmund Kawik

Sand lizard (Lacerta agilis)

Sand lizard has a big head, rounded snout and a long tail. The whole body of the reptile is covered with scales. Thanks to its strong limbs with sharp claws it quickly and nimbly moves on land. It looks like its ancestors – the dinosaurs, but grows only to reach 25 cm. In contrast to the European pond turtle it is a reptile frequently encountered in the Odra River basin. We can come across the sand lizard in dry and sunny spots: meadows, in the garden or in a pine forest. The reptilian’s body temperature depends on the ambient temperature. In the morning the lizard basks in the sun, and – having absorbed the necessary portion of energy – it goes on a hunt. Its diet consists mainly of spiders, beetles, flies, locusts, butterflies, snails and earthworms. The sand lizard is oviparous. During the mating season we can easily tell apart the male from the female. The female remains gray, while the male assumes a lush greenish color. The sand lizard spends its entire life within a small territory. In case of emergency it hides in burrows of rodents, between rocks or roots. It defends itself against attackers in a surprising way – it suddenly pops off its tail, as a loot which satisfies the predator. Over time, the tail regenerates partially.