Recently reintroduced into the county by the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust, the last reliable record of an indigenous Kent Sand Lizard dates back to 1969.
Sand Lizards are nationally scarce due to their specific habitat requirements of open sand for egg laying and mature vegetation structure for cover.
The national decline of the Sand Lizard can largely be attributed to habitat destruction. Sand Lizards fair less well in recovering habitat than the more widespread Viviparous Lizard.
Though there have been no reports of native Sand Lizards in Kent since the 1970s, a number of KRAG members believe that it is not entirely impossible that the species still occurs naturally within the county, watch this space!
Have you seen a Sand Lizard in Kent?
Submit Sighting OnlineDistribution in Kent
Other / Similar Species
Viviparous Lizard
Zootoca vivipara
Also known as the Common' Lizard, the Viviparous Lizard is better described as locally abundant.
Kent can still boast a number of sites where Viviparous Lizards occur in high numbers.
Wall Lizard (Non-native)
Podarcis muralis
Now well established at several sites along the southern coast of Kent, the Wall Lizard is well worth looking out for on warm, sunny, south facing walls.
View Profile