SPRING is erupting all around us, and the hedgerows and nature reserves are starting to produce vibrant flowers and foliage that make the countryside such a joy to visit at this time of year.

It is not just the flowers that the arrival of spring brings out of slumber. Much of our wild animal life that have spent the winter in hibernation are now at large.

Some of this awakening life is easy to see, like the bumble bees and butterflies but some of it is much more secretive.

There are six species of lizard in the UK but three of them have been recently introduced and are now living wild in southern England. The sand lizard is a native lizard but this is also confined to southern Britain. Here in Wyre Forest we have two species of lizard, the slow worm and the viviparous lizard.

The slow worm is commonly mistaken as a snake as it is a lizard that has evolved into a legless form. A close look at the face of a slow worm easily reveals its lizard origins as the slow worm has blinking eyes and visible ears, features absent form snakes.

The viviparous lizards are probably our commonest reptile but many people have never seen one.

This time of year is the best time to spot one of these illusive creatures. Like all reptiles they are cold blooded and during the cooler but other wise sunny mornings they will find themselves a patch in the sun on which to sunbathe.

The lizards are well camouflaged and usually the first you know that there is one nearby is when you hear a sharp rustle in the undergrowth as it bolts for cover. However if you catch the movement out of the corner of your eye not all is lost, as lizards like their sunbathing spots and if you are quiet it will not be long before they return.

The viviparous lizard will bathe in sun until they reach an ideal body temperature of around 30 degrees C. Once warm they have lightning fast reactions which they use both to escape predators but also to hunt their food which can involve ambushing flies.

The viviparous lizard gives birth to live young during the early summer and at this time of year female lizards will usually be pregnant. Pregnant female lizards particularly like to bask in the sun making this time of year your best opportunity to have an encounter with one of our more elusive and enigmatic wild animals.

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