Species in the Spotlight: Common Lizard - the monomorphic polymorph.

Tue 28th Oct, 2014

Common Lizard plain morph - Dan Lombard ©

Common Lizards are perhaps the most abundant reptile species of the Yorkshire Coast Nature area. Essentially colonial, they are local in distribution. Large colonies can sometimes occur in favourable habitats, which in Yorkshire mainly consist of moorland escarpments, clear-fell conifer woodland and limestone grassland. As we monitor and record the reptile species within our area, we come across large numbers of Common Lizards, Adders, Slow Worms and Grass Snakes.

Juvenile male showing dark colouration - Dan Lombard ©

Recently we were fortunate to come across a real beauty of an animal in the form of a plain morph Common Lizard. Common Lizards are polymorphic, found in a real variety of colours ranging from copper, through brown, to olive and bright green. Thy are also sexually dimorphic: the males usually being spotty and the females striped. Rarely, a type which has no body markings or significant colour occurs and is known as a plain morph. 

Adult male showing bronze colouration - Dan Lombard ©

Our individual, identified as an adult female, was the first we had found in the region. As we had never before recorded such colouration in her specific colony, we are interested to see if it becomes more prevalent in the colony in the future.

Plain morph - Dan Lombard ©

Theoretically, plain morph lizards are slightly less cryptic than ones with fully body patterns, which could leave them more vulnerable to predators, although on limestone rocks thay are moderately well camouflaged. However, due to its rarity, it is unlikely that a full study of predation on this colour morph has yet taken place.

Adult male - Dan Lombard ©

Dan Lombard