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Durness photographer stumbles on rare lizard


By Mike Merritt

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Photographer Kevin Arrow-smith was walking on Monday near Durness when he stumbled across the common lizard.

The common – or viviparous – lizard is most frequently seen on commons, heaths, moorland, dry-stone walls, embankments and sea cliffs around the British Isles.

But its colouration is usually a shade of brown with patterns of spots or stripes.

However, according to the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust, colour variants from yellow through various shades of green to jet black can be encountered.

Mr Arrowsmith, who lives in Durness, was shocked to find the black lizard in his path.

“I was out for a walk and near a loch and I almost stepped on it. It was just motionless and absolutely black. I’ve been told by a wildlife ranger it is a quite rare colourant,” he said.

“I got quite close to it before it moved. It was such a beautiful creature and a wonderful and amazing surprise.”

Living further north than

any other reptile species, the common lizard is also remarkable for giving birth to its young, as opposed to laying eggs, as most other lizard species do.

Males have bright yellow or orange undersides and can grow to 15cm (six inches) and live up to 12 years.

Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981, it is classified as a Priority Species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.

If threatened by a predator, common lizards will shed their still-moving tail in order to distract their attacker and make a quick getaway. This leaves a scar behind, but they can regrow them.


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