Which species of lizard have I seen?



You are most likely to see Common Lizards or Slow-Worms (a legless lizard) as they are both widespread across the UK.

Further information

There are three species of lizard in the UK – the Common Lizard, the Sand Lizard and the Slow-Worm (a type of legless lizard often mistaken for a snake). Of these three species, you are most likely to see Slow-Worms or common lizards in your garden.

The UK’s rarest lizard, the Sand Lizard, tends only to be found in heath-land or dune habitat and is unlikely to be seen at all in most gardens.

Common Lizard

Shades of brown, with some green and black shades possible

Up to 15cm long

Can be found in gardens, nature reserves, parks

Patterns of spots and stripes down the back

The lizard you are most likely to see when you’re out and about, if you’re lucky!

Sand Lizard (Photo: Tracy Farrer)

Shades of brown and grey, with males taking on green colours on sides in breeding season

Usually two strong stripes down the back

Dark spots, ocelli (marking that resembles an eye) or mottling on sides

Up to 20cm long

One of the UK’s rarest reptiles, only found on a few sites and nature reserves

Slow-Worm

A legless lizard

Up to 50cm long

Very shiny and smooth skin

Found in shades of brown, grey, gold and copper

Often have a dark stripe running along the back

Females and juveniles have darker sides and belly

Can be spotted in gardens, allotments, parks and nature reserves

Occasionally, non-native lizards are recorded in the wild, particularly the Wall Lizard and Green Lizard, and sometimes newts are mistaken for lizards as they can be a similar size, shape and colour.

Wall Lizard (photo: Tracy Farrer)

Non native species only found on a few sites in the UK

Up to 20cm long

Head is larger and tail longer than Common Lizard

Colours range from brown to grey to green

Green Lizard (photo: Tracy Farrer)

Non native species, only found on a few sites in the UK

Up to 35cm long

Females may be green or brown, males are usually green with stippling on body

It is important to report your lizard sightings to help build up local and national records of these declining species. Get in touch with the local Biological Records Centre and/or use our free Dragon Finder App if you have seen lizards in your garden.