What does it look like — The following features make the Sand Lizard well-suited for a life in sandy surroundings (such as dunes, heathlands and open grassland): Commonly these lizards will be seen sunbaking on rocks or in more active mode hunting its prey sources across the sandy grounds.
A Master of Camouflage
Sand Lizards are truly hunters of the shadows, subsumed within their environment. They vary in coloration from very light brown to rufous-brown, cryptically hiding them on the forest floor for camouflage and ambushing prey.
A Nimble Hunter
What do Sand Lizards eat? Quick reflexes and excellent hunting ability make them agile hunters. They have long, forked tongues which are used to reel in prey and taste it.
A Hardy Survivor
Sand Lizards are perfectly designed for sandy habitats They thrive in high heat and low humidity. Using basking to warm and seeking shade or a deeper burrow when too hot enables fantastic regulation of their temperature, despite living in such harsh conditions.
A Vital Role in the Ecosystem
Sand Lizards are vital to their ecosystems. They colonise plants, and as predators help control populations of insects and other invertebrates. Additionally, they were a food source for other animals; birds or mammals sometimes ate the insects and snakes had an interest in them as well. This intricate network of relationships strengthens the ecosystem.
Conservation Concerns
Although Sand Lizards are not an endangered species, serious threats such as habitat loss and fragmentation, pollution or even climate change have been faced. Historically, the loss of dunes and heathlands in The Netherlands due to agricultural intensification or coastal urbanization have led to a gradual reduction in habitat available for these lizards. Further, the use of pesticides can kill lizards directly or decrease their food sources. To ensure the protection of Sand Lizards their habitats should be conserved, dangerous chemicals not used and many people educated about what an important ecological role these lizards have. Knowing about the ecology and behavior of Sand Lizards, we are supposed to be thankful for it being a part of nature and make sure that they can persist in future.