Viviparous lizard

Description:

The viviparous lizard in one of only two small Lacertidae native to North, West and Central Europe. It lives farther north than any other reptile species. The length of the body is less than 12 centimetres (5 in) (excluding the tail). Learn more about its mode of reproduction in the notes!

Habitat:

Spotted basking in the sun on a fence post in an alpine meadow, alt. 1300 m ASL. In the southern parts of its distribution range the species lives at high elevations, occurring as high as 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) in the Alps. In these areas this lizard is found in in damp places or near water (meadows, swamps, etc). In the northern part of the range the species is also found in lowlands, where it occurs in drier environments. It lives mainly on the ground, although it may climb onto rocks, logs and low-growing vegetation as seen in this series.

Notes:

This lizard is ovoviviparous. Ovoviviparity, ovovivipary, or ovivipary, is a mode of reproduction in animals in which embryos develop inside eggs that are retained within the mother's body until they are ready to hatch. Ovoviviparous animals are similar to viviparous species in that there is internal fertilization and the young are born live, but differ in that there is no placental connection and the unborn young are nourished by egg yolk. Some populations of this lizard also do lay eggs.