Habitat:
Description:
Food:
Hibernation:
Feature:
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In
the
southern parts of its distribution range, the viviparous lizard lives
in damp locations, often near water, including meadows, swamps, rice
fields, by brooks and in damp forests. In the northern part of the
range, drier environments, including open woodland, meadows,
moorland, heathland, fens, dunes, rocks, roadsides, hedgerows
and
gardens. It lives mainly on the ground.
The length of the body is less than 12 cm (excluding
the
tail). The tail is up to twice as long as the body, although it is
often partially or wholly lost. The limbs are short, and the head is
rather round. Males have more slender bodies than females. The neck and
the tail are thick. The collar and other scales seem jagged.
Invertebrates, mostly small insects and spiders. It shakes larger prey
in its jaws before chewing it and swallowing it whole.
September - February.
Species name vivipara
relates
to giving birth to live young.
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