Sand lizard hatchlings are appearing

The Sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) is our rarest native lizard, and has disappeared from many of the Surrey heathlands due to unsuitable habitat management.

To help the species recover, the HCT co-ordinate a captive breeding programme, releasing hatchlings back into the wild at sites where habitat management has made the heath suitable, and will continue to be managed sympathetically.

These releases continue, annually, over a three year period. After this there should be sufficient mature animals to contine to breed naturally, with more maturing each year.

Last weekend, wild-born hatchlings were found at one of these release sites, confirming the success of this conservation approach. The hatchlings dig themselves out of sandy burrows at the end of August, after hatching from their leathery eggs. They are around two inches (2.5cm) from head to tail...and so cute!