Details
Zootoca vivipara
Viviparous lizard is a cold-tolerant small lizard whose populations often give birth to live young. It reaches farther north than almost any other reptile.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It uses grassland, bogs, forest edges, mountains, and riversides from Europe to Siberia. Main habitat types in this guide are grassland, forest, mountain, freshwater.
Typical length 10-18 cm, weight 2 g-8 g. A slim body, short legs, brown back, and dark longitudinal markings are typical.
It is diurnal and usually solitary. It basks to warm up and darts quickly into grass or stones when alarmed.
It is carnivorous. Insects, spiders, woodlice, and other small invertebrates are eaten.
Many populations are live-bearing, while some southern lineages lay eggs.
Although still widespread in places, it remains sensitive to habitat change. It reaches farther north than almost any other reptile.
