Viviparous Lizard

Viviparous Lizard

I spotted this Viviparous Lizard between the chinks of the wooden paths in the swamps of the Belgian national park ‘Hohes Venn’, while taken a sunbath to reach its optimum body temperature, which is about 30°C.

This extreme shy reptile is a typical inhabitant of swamps and damp forests. The name of the species is derived from its ability to give birth to live young where reptiles are commonly oviparous (egg-laying).

Dutch name : Levendbarende Hagedis
German name : Waldeidechse
Latin name : Zootoca vivipara