Common lizard - Threats to the common lizard

Common lizards are small and can move very fast if needed, but they often fall prey to birds of prey, members of the crow family like jays and even domestic cats.  However, in common with other lizards, they have a clever escape method: they can detach their tails! The tail will continue to wriggle, hopefully distracting the predator, while the lizard makes its escape.  This is why ‘stumpy’ lizards can sometimes be seen - they have detached their tails to live another day! Whilst the tails gradually regrow, the new growth is non-detachable, so it’s an escape method that can only be used once!

Photo by Dean Morley.