Sand Lizards are very rare reptiles that can only be found in Dorset and Surrey in undisturbed heathlands with thick vegetation and bare patches of sand. Sand Lizards need thick vegetation to go hunting for food and bare patches of sand to bury their eggs.

The Sand Lizard is a small reptile that has a short stocky body and a long tail. The male is normally brown, but around April time it develops bright green coloured sides. It also has a dark stripe down the middle of its back. The stripe consists of darker patches which have a white dot in each patch. The female looks similar to the male, but is a pale grey or light brown colour without the green sides.

Sand Lizards like to spend a lot of time hiding under the sand and this is why they are called ‘Sand Lizards’. They also like to bask in the sun on the sand. Like all reptiles, they are cold-blooded which means they need the heat of the sun to make them more active. When it gets too cold, Sand Lizards hibernate in burrows which they sometimes share with other Sand Lizards.