Short-legged and stocky with a short, deep head. The abundant flowers attract hundreds of different invertebrates which bring the dunes alive with noise and activity. Common Lizard Description. Adaptations are described in Stebbins (1944, 1954). To prevent their feet from burning they have adapted a thermal dance to lift their feet off the hot sand – a front leg and opposite hind leg lifts on a rotational basis.
lizard body structures Specialized body structures of lizards: (A) frill of a frilled lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingii), (B) dewlap of an anole (Anolis), (C) fin of the water lizard (Hydrosaurus), (D) toe fans of a fan-footed gecko (Ptyodactylus hasselquistii), and (E) toes of the fringe-toed lizard (Uma). The others are the endangered sand lizard and the slow-worm, a legless lizard. Sand Lizards emerge from hibernation in March or April. Arboreal geckos and anoles (Anolis) have lamellae (fine plates) on the undersides of the toes. Mating occurs in early summer from May to June. The eggs hatch in approx 1-2 months depending on weather conditions. The Sand Lizard is the only native lizard to lay eggs (Oviparous), which are deposited in burrows dug by the females during June and July in loose sand.

Should it get too hot, the shovel-snouted lizard will dig into the dune sand or run up the dune to the shaded side where temperatures are cooler.

Dark band down centre of back (may contain dark or light blotches). Identification: Adults up to 20 cm in length (including tail). A team of scientists have also recently studied another incredible adaptation of this desert dweller – its ability to use its skin to drink moisture in the sand. Among their adaptations for the desert environment are horned eyes, distinctive camouflaging coloration and the curious method of moving sideways along the desert sand.

Common lizards have long bodies which measure around 10 – 16 centimetres in length and they have short legs. Sand Lizards have a stocky appearance and the males are easily recognisable by their bright green flanks. The world’s 5,800 lizard species inhabit every continent except Antarctica, utilizing habitats as diverse as caves, creeks and the rainforest canopy. Zebra-tailed lizard; The “sand”lizards, for instance, develop bright orange or red areas on the different parts of the body. Predators include roadrunners, badgers, loggerhead shrikes, American kestrels, and coyotes. The common or viviparous lizard is one of three species of wild lizard found in the UK. Each lamella is made up of brushlike setae.

The shovel-snouted lizard is endemic to the Namib Desert It has an unusual flattened snout with a cutting edge and nostrils that point upwards, as well as enlarged feet that allow it to dash across the sand at high speed without sinking into the dunes. Hundreds of plants and animals rarely found elsewhere in a county dominated by acidic, granite bedrock, thrive on Cornwall's sand dune systems. Some desert geckos, the iguanid Uma, and the lacertid Acanthodactylus have fringes on the toes that provide increased surface area, preventing the lizard from sinking into loose desert sand. ... it down to the corners of the mouth," where the lizard drinks it. 20 Amazing Animal Adaptations for Living in the Desert. In some species this indicates readiness for breeding, while in others it is a signal to males that the female has already mated and is gravid (pregnant).
Colour is variable: shades of grey and brown. Many modifications of the toes occur in lizards.