The Common Lizard - A Wonderful Reptile Explained - UK - 4K

Up close and personal with a Common Lizard. I was fortunate to be able to handle one of these amazing lizards in a wildflower meadow I maintain in Hampshire.
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Joel Ashton
#CommonLizard #ZootocaVivipara #Lizard #Reptile #WildflowerMeadow #Conservation #MeadowManagement #Wildflowers #Hampshire #Habitat

[@noidea599]

This video made my day. i have no idea how I got here but seeing you so kind to the lizard and excited was such a well needed dose of positivity. where I come from there are always lizards around, they even sneak into our homes. I've gotten used to them, they are fun companions to have around, especially when kids discover them.

[@daveveljacic6876]

Around 12 were released from a private zoo on Vancouver Island in 1968-1970. It was always a dream of mine to find them in the wild so I’d make trips from the mainland to look for them. Six years ago I moved to Nanaimo, about a two hour drive from their original release site. These are in my yard by the dozens. Their population has spread all up The Island, and is conservatively estimate to be around 700,000.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Wow, thanks for this Dave, absolutely brilliant to read this and particularly knowing they've done so well. A dream come true for you :) Best wishes, Joel

[@wildlifegardener-tracey6206]

Wow envy. Yes so skittish, they’re fantastic little lizards. I can total understand your joy, wonderful. My boys loved searching for them when little and even now in their 30’s when holidaying in areas where Common Lizards live. Brilliant!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thanks Tracey. Yes, a wonderful moment and one I won’t forget in a hurry! Hope you’re well

[@cobbler1539]

I was lucky enough to find a common lizard in the rough patch of my garden a couple of days ago & today seen 5 young which I'm made up about, the young are a lot darker than the adults. Thank you for a lovely video.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Wow, this is great to hear - and there's luck plus the way you're managing your garden of course, so a very well deserved reward :) Thanks for your kind words and support, it's appreciated - best wishes, Joel

[@UrbanKing1..]

Hi can you help me? I live in the south east of England : northfleet and gravesend. Can I find common lizards here? I have searched it up but no where has gave me a proper answer. Can you help me please?

[@cobbler1539]

@@UrbanKing1.. I'm afraid I don't know for sure, I understand they're widespread in England in places with grass and heathland. Mine are in my garden in Mid-Jutland, Denmark. I hope you find some once the weather warms up.

[@UrbanKing1..]

@@cobbler1539 😊

[@sassyjintheuk]

Found one who had been trapped in my front door and lost his/her tail, poor thing. Had just washed my hair and squeased the clean water on 'buddy'. His head came up and he opened his mouth & took a few drops. I relocated him to a safer place in the garden. Amazing. I'm in the Scottish Highlands. So he is a tough chap. Thank you.😊

[@Jigaboo123456]

Hi, sassy. I had a holiday,weekend hut on a hill farm in the Trossachs for nearly fifty years and I had quite a lot of them around, I used to leave a little bits of catfood for them. At first I thought that they were Newts, but I I.D.-ed them when I saw them having an orgy- yes, and orgy! Females were surrounded by males who were battling for the females, and, like myself in my younger days, had thrown caution to the wind,which made them easy to catch and examine. As in Joel's excellent clip above, they spread out to warm themselves on my hand-it looked like they had pliable ribs (similar to adders) to enable them to heat up quicker, Iater, put them on a black metal plate to let them heat themselves as and when they needed it. How I miss that hut now,, I loved it, and so did my family. 🙂

[@Janita_S]

Thanks for sharing! I just learned about these little guys today, hope to see one myself one day

[@vectordnb]

We have a small colony of wall lizards in Bristol. They're non native but still fun to watch.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Wow, that's quite a thing and I'm glad they have found a refuge near you, agreed I could watch them for hours - so quick though! Best wishes, Joel

[@richardm7004]

I'm in my early 60s, but in my teens, we used to holiday at a spot about 4km NW of Llanuwchllyn, at the head of Bala Lake (Llyn Tegid) in Merionethshire, North Wales. We used to see lots of common lizards and slow worms there, plus the occasional adder and grass snake.

[@george-1961]

I had the pleasure of seeing them up close in the wild when I was visiting the family in Jersey. They have an area specifically to cater for Lizards. I tried to show you on Twitter but I don’t know how to pin you 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@lyndalambert9639]

So pleased you found it Joel and were able to enjoy a very close encounter! I'm so lucky to have them and the Sand Lizards all around Dorset, and always get a thrill out of seeing them. Yet to find a Common Lizard in my garden however. 😊

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

You lucky thing re the sand lizards! Never seen one. I never tire of seeing the common lizards though. Try putting some log piles in the garden for them 😊👍

[@453421abcdefg12345]

I never tire from seeing Lizards sunning on the stone walls in the garden, the are a part of what makes Summer, this year was obviously very good for our Lizards judging by the high numbers we saw, but I did not see the Green Lizards this year. Your observations on using the "mosaic" approach to managing a meadow is spot on, by this method any wildlife is given a chance to move over to a more suitable habitat for that species, the "scorched earth" approach does not give any chance for any wildlife present to adapt to new fast changing conditions, but I think 3 acres is a good size to manage for various micro environments if new species are to be encouraged to come in, you have a film star Lizard there, I have never seen one so sleepy! Stay safe! Chris B.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thanks Chris. Yes - they’re pretty awesome and I love seeing them, just never usually this close! Glad you get them and the wall lizards which I’ve seen in my garden in France 😊 Lots more vids to upload in the coming weeks 👍

[@marekkamocki2457]

Great to hear from you, good that you're busy - more wildlife habitats for UK:)

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thanks Marek. Hope you’re well? Yes - lots to manage here in the uk. Drop me a line when you get a minute 👍

[@gardeninside1367]

Glad to see you again 🙂 Thanks for sharing, this😍

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you 😊 Sorry for the delay in videos - busy time with work

[@The_White_Shark]

I seen a common lizard basking today in my local woods in Cornwall, it was trying to rely on camouflage at first but as I got closer it shot off, the dry leaves gave it away or I would not have looked in the direction it was sat.

[@markrowland5393]

What a beauty! Nice one, Joel.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thanks Mark 😊 It sure was!

[@stevehiggins1263]

Incredible, I have lived in Norfolk for over 30 years and I have never seen one In the wild... so cool.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Steve! Rather late on this one, my apologies - still don't seem to get all the notifications re comments. It really was fantastic seeing this, I do hope you spot one soon when the weather is warmer :) Best wishes, Joel

[@Narnendil]

That place seems like a lovely piece of nature!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

It certainly is. I’m hoping to get back there next summer and make a video about it 👍

[@annaheya2109]

Very beautifully produced 🥰

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you very much Anna 😊

[@normancoutts]

That was good to see - the new tail was amazing. All the best.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Norman. Glad you enjoyed it. Yes - the tail is quite obvious when it has been replaced. Amazing creatures! Hope you’re well 😊👍

[@Tom-ed-w]

use to catch these as a child :) and let them live wild in my garden xD

[@klcpca]

Hi!!!! It's wonderful that there are those that will set aside some areas for wildlife... I don't blame you for not revealing where it is. Once someone finds a beautiful area, it is lost because of people wanting to see the beautiful area.... folks can't learn to "look but don't destroy" 🙁 Adorable little lizard!!! I haven't seen any here in PA but we had loads of anoles growing up in FL ...

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi! Hope you are well over the pond! Lizards really are such cool creatures! I’d love to see some anoles 😁👍

[@bugsmetropolis]

In Somerset, we get the common lizard quite a lot - as well as slow-worms! Great video as always!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi there :) They're fantastic aren't they, can't remember if I mentioned on the video but this was in Southampton - I'm actually headed to Somerset in April so I'll keep my eye out for sure :) Thanks so much for your support, it's appreciated - best wishes, Joel

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

I've just watched your fantastic video on the Indian Stick Insect - I had these too as a kid, also Pink Winged too, which bred and escaped, I returned home from school one day and found the young all around the bedroom! Much to my mum's dismay ;) I was unable to comment under your video so wanted to acknowledge it here, keep up the great work and keep uploading! Hope you enjoy the rest of the channel - Best wishes, Joel

[@bugsmetropolis]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton haha - Thankyou!

[@leafinsectlover]

Here in Slovenija there is plenty of these and today I found a baby one

[@TheRichMaxwellChannel]

Saw one in Cannock Chase when cycling at the weekend. Never seen one before and didnt even realise we had wild lizards in the UK.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Amazing aren't they - they really don't get the press that they should, you're not alone in not knowing of their existence though and I'm so glad you got to see one :) Best wishes - Joel

[@micksmusicchannel]

Great to see that common lizard Joel. It's been many years since I've seen one. Hope you have a great Christmas my friend 🙂👍

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Mick. So pleased you enjoyed the video. Yes Christmas was good thanks. Hope you had a good one and all the best for this year 😊👍

[@micksmusicchannel]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton it comes and it passes before we know it 😁. All the very best for the New Year Joel's 👍🙂

[@melx6957]

I saw one a couple of days ago in the midlands. Only for a few seconds though as it was really quick crossing my path. Amazing, i didnt know we have them in the UK.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Glad you got to see one Mel! They're pretty quick, as you say but how lucky you were there at the right time :) Best wishes, Joel

[@markrowland5393]

Hi Joel. Thanks for all the great videos this year. I hope you and yours have a great Christmas. I know how busy you are, but if you could find time to look for that stuff in the loft, I would be very grateful. Very best wishes, Mark

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thanks Mark. All good here. Hope you are too. I’ll have a look when I get a chance. Thank you 😊👍

[@markrowland5393]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Thanks Joel. I would really appreciate it and so would my sister. We were both very fond of my great aunt when we were children and would love to have the stuff.

[@Drago1995]

i live in Belgium originally from Portugal, only in 2020 i found out Belgium has also lizards and snakes although they are very difficult to find.

[@lvurbanfarming9001]

Thanks for the video Joel :)

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi. You’re very welcome. Hope you’re enjoying the channel 😊👍

[@lvurbanfarming9001]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton i sure do. Lots of good info. People need to see your channel

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@lvurbanfarming9001 thank you so much and for the continued support. There’s lots more to come from the channel 👍😊

[@FeraForus]

Amazing video! I've been publishing videos about UK reptiles recently but I've sadly never seen a common lizard. I've done ecological work in Hampshire too so I know they're there, I must just have had poor timing! I have seen sand lizards though, which are another fascinating species.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi. Wow - I’d love to see a sand lizard! Keep up the good work re your videos 😊👍

[@davidbeattie7817]

I was lucky enough to see a sand lizard in kinsale ireland, I was walking along a cliff top near the head of kinsale and I seen something in corner of my eye and I knew what I’d seen , it went into a hole so I got a little stick and gently put stick in and out popped a big lizard ! I couldn’t believe it! I never knew we had lizards in uk I though I just have bumped into one someone had had as a pet a released it and I just happened to bump into it and I couldn’t believe my eyes . But when I looked into it I realised we have them ! It was about 20 inches around abouts including tail. It was beautiful like I was absolutely buzzing 😎

[@greycatblue]

Hi Joel, we found a Euopean fire salamander in our garden. It was in a tunnel in very dry ground probably made by a mole or rat, but it was close to a drainage channel under a slate path. First time we have seen one in this garden, so exiting to know they are here. Best wishes from us both.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi! Wow!! I’d love to see one of those! How fantastic! Hope you guys are well and I’m looking forward to getting back to France in the near future! 🤞

[@453421abcdefg12345]

greycatblue: Each Salamander has a different yellow pattern , so if photograph each one you see you can tell if you have recorded that one before, they like to move around at evening, and you will be surprised how many you see if you go out with a torch after dark, we get them in our garden (Lot), even though we are 100 ft above the nearest surface water, they are wonderful little creatures and look like rubber toys. Chris B.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@453421abcdefg12345 sounds amazing! I’d love to see them. You can of course see many frogs and newts on a mild night in the spring (and throughout the year) here in the uk with a torch 😊👍

[@453421abcdefg12345]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton I think there are more amphibians about in the garden after dark than we realise, of course when it is 40 degs and dry in the day, it is not possible for them to roam around far from water, I was surprised to see Salamandas so far from water, but there could be underground sources that I do not know about, being a limestone area there are many springs around, this year we have not seen so many, which is why I try to photograph all I see, then I know if it one I have seen before, but in the cold of winter people do not go outside as much, stay safe ! Chris B.

[@kathrynnorman2253]

Hi Joel, I have definitely missed your videos but what an amazing experience to handle a lizard in such a wild place :)

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi! Nice to hear from you. Apologies for the delay - it has been a busy time for me over the last few months. Hope you’re keeping well 👍

[@kathrynnorman2253]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Don't be sorry and yeah I am doing well thanks for asking :)

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@kathrynnorman2253 no worries - take it easy 😊👍

[@kathrynnorman2253]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton I most certainly will and I am looking forward to your next video :)

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@kathrynnorman2253 fantastic. Thank you 👍

[@markhunter2244]

Amazing, I’ve never been lucky enough to see a Common Lizard. Might be a bit to far north for them 🦎

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

I’m not sure where their northern range is, but I hope you get to see one before too long 😊👍

[@g-man4297]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton I know this is late, but I have found common lizards as far north as the Black Isle in Scotland, north of Inverness, also Slow Worm in Perthshire and Adders are fairly widespread up here too.

[@user-wq4pq6xq8z]

bro chillin

[@harrisx420]

I’ve never seen a lizard over here always thought they were reptiles you saw abroad 😂

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

You're not the only one to think this, believe me! They're fairly widespread, hence the name, but if you find yourself in rough coastlines, scrubby habitat, that's where they'll be - they love the sun :) Best wishes, Joel

[@MrDaggerstone]

Hi joel very nice lizard but there are more then just one in uk there is also sand lizard or green lizard so people call it the common slow worm is another one even though it does not look like one lol but it is. Jersey has a similar lizard called a wall lizard the same sort of size and colour just a different patten. :)

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Tim. Absolutely - I did mention the Sand Lizards in the video, but forgot to mention the slow worms. You’re absolutely right though - they are in fact a lizard. I’ve seen wall lizards in France, but didn’t know they were on Jersey. Thanks for commenting 👍😊

[@Nathan-Croft]

I can't tell you how many times I had to save one of these guys from my cats. I felt bad for the cats, bc I took their prey, but I think these creatures are really cute

[@johnbateman603]

Can you please let me know where in the UK I can get a Argentine black and white tegu n how much?

[@philhollinghurst2079]

Found in my garden in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, sunbathing on a rock by a dry stone wall

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Wow, absolutely brilliant to read this Phil, I must admit I didn't think they were that far north, but so pleased for you! Best wishes, Joel

[@philhollinghurst2079]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton thanks Joel, I was delighted to see one and would upload the picture if I could. I’m currently sculpting my long grass areas having watched your meadow videos. #NoMowSummer.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@philhollinghurst2079 Fantastic Phil, so good to read this. It's certainly not been an easy ride trying to explain to some people how this can not only look good (yes, in my opinion!) but it so much better for the wildlife, and the rewards are many, as demonstrated by the fact you saw this beautiful creature - there will be many more surprises, I promise - best wishes, Joel

[@dotnelsie]

The Common Lizard is in Aberdeenshire - know of 3 different sites.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

That's fantastic to hear Dorothy :) I'm Aberdeenshire way for the first 2 weeks of May building a bird-hide so I'll keep my eye out - hope you've had a good weekend, best wishes - Joel

[@dotnelsie]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton as you will know, Joel, my 3 friends who sighted them all saw them on stone walls on a sunny day.😊

[@frowner_and_co]

Hello, in the UK I have seen leaf insects all over my area. Is this normal?

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi 😊 It can be. Depends which insects you mean of course. Take care. Joel

[@george-1961]

Pinned you the tweet. Hope you get to see it 🤞🏻

[@First.Last.99]

I give them apples, when they subathe on my balcony.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

An important part of the diet of a lot of lizards I understand - thank you for considering them :) Best wishes, Joel

[@deedevs]

I found one today down the street from my house where I parked my car. I saw a cat messing around with something and I went to inspect.. I was kinda shocked. Didn’t know we had them here in Scotland. I guess we just don’t see them as they’re probably well hidden. Well I saved it from the cat and have it in a nice place with good temperature and environment. It did however drop its tail before I found it, must off been scared because of the cat. I gave it a moth and it ate it whole. Going to the pet store tomorrow to buy some insects.. I may set it free in the near future but for now I want to keep an eye on it Oh yea and I named it (think it’s a she) El Roi

[@wildlifewithyash10m93]

Hi

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Yash. Hope you’re well 😊

[@wildlifewithyash10m93]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton where are the beautiful swans 😊✌

[@alastaircornish1996]

Amazing video! :) I breed and release zootoca vivipara I also breed different colour morphs of zootoca vivipara such as golden patternless chocolate patternless green and super green patternless if anyone is interested in seeing them comment to this comment and go from there :)

[@keithhanssen7413]

Lizards are the best. Snakes with legs 😀

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Absolutely! Love them to bits! 😁👍

[@aniruddha202]

I have e lizard and i want to sell it.. anyone interested?

[@jane9875]

not so common i've never seen one