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Dieren en planten

Animals   Amphibians and reptiles   Moor frog   European common frog   Reptiles   Snakes   Sand lizard   
  • Dut: Zandhagedis (duinhagedis)
  • Lat: Lacerta agilis
  • Eng: Sand lizard
  • Ger: Zauneidechse
  • Dan: Markfirben
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Sand lizard, Gemeentewaterleidingen Amsterdam

Lizards

Dunes are the ideal habitat for lizards, with their sandy hills and multitude of dry warm spots. In the Dutch dune areas, three species of lizards can be found. However, all three are rare. Some terrains on Vlieland and Terschelling are specially managed for protecting those lizards still found there.

  • Slow worm

    Despite the name and appearance, slow worms are neither worms nor snakes. These legless lizards have been found in the dunes of South Kennermerland since 1983, where they were probably released. You can easily see that they are not snakes by their blinking eyes and visible ears, two features not found in snakes.

  • Common lizard

    Common lizards, also known as viviparous lizards, live in the Dutch coastal area on Walcheren, Schouwen and Terschelling. Terschelling also houses the sand lizard. As its second name indicates, this lizard doesn't lay eggs like most other lizard species, but gives birth to live young. The common lizard is listed as sensitive on the Red List.

  • Sand lizard

    The sand lizard used to be very common in the Dutch dune regions, on several islands and in various heather fields. However the population has declined tremendously as heather became overgrown with grass. It is still found in the Veluwe, in the coastal dunes of Holland and on Vlieland and Terschelling. They were also found on Schiermonnikoog up till 1983.

    These lizards can grow to 20 centimeters in length and live off of insects. They need bare sand in which to lay their eggs. Rabbits, playful children and other burrowing mammals often provide the proper conditions. After the female has laid her eggs in a self-dug hole, further brooding is carried out by the sun. The sand lizard hibernates in the winter, preferably in a deserted mouse-hole.

    The sand lizard lives either alone or with a partner. The males have a territory in which several females may reside. The lizards are only found in larger numbers during the winter hibernation and in the spring. The sand lizard is listed on the Red List for amphibians and reptiles as vulnerable.

  • Common lizard

    Common lizards, also known as viviparous lizards, live in the Dutch coastal area on Walcheren, Schouwen and Terschelling. Terschelling also houses the sand lizard. As its second name indicates, this lizard doesn't lay eggs like most other lizard species, but gives birth to live young. The common lizard is listed as sensitive on the Red List.

  • Slow worm

    Despite the name and appearance, slow worms are neither worms nor snakes. These legless lizards have been found in the dunes of South Kennermerland since 1983, where they were probably released. You can easily see that they are not snakes by their blinking eyes and visible ears, two features not found in snakes.