Editing Sand lizard (section)

{{Short description|Species of lizard}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Sand lizard
| image = Lacerta agilis male 2014 G1.jpg
| image_caption = Male
| image2 = Lacerta agilis female 2014 G1.jpg
| image2_caption = Female
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Aghasyan, A. |author2=Avci, A. |author3=Tuniyev, B. |author4=Lymberakis, P. |author5=Andrén, C. |author6=Cogălniceanu, D. |author7=Wilkinson, J. |author8=Ananjeva, N.B. |author9=Üzüm, N. |author10=Orlov, N.L. |author11=Podloucky, R. |author12=Tuniyev, S. |author13=Kaya, U. |author14=Crnobrnja-Isailović, J. |author15=Vogrin, M. |author16=Corti, C. |author17=Pérez Mellado, V. |author18=Sá-Sousa, P. |author19=Cheylan, M. |author20=Pleguezuelos, J. |author21=Kyek, M. |author22=Westerström, A. |author23=Nettmann, H.K. |author24=Borczyk, B. |author25=Sterijovski, B. |author26=Schmidt, B. |author27=Terbish, K. |author28=Orlova, V. |author29=Chirikova, M. |author30=Doronin, I. |author31=Shi, L. |display-authors = 3 |date=2021 |title=''Lacerta agilis'' |page=e.T157288A49644624 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T157288A49644624.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
| genus = Lacerta
| species = agilis
| authority = [[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], [[10th edition of Systema Naturae|1758]]
| range_map = LacertaAgilisIUCN.svg
| range_map_caption = Range of ''L. agilis''{{leftlegend|#008000|Extant, resident|outline=gray}}
}}
The '''sand lizard''' ('''''Lacerta agilis''''') is a [[Lacertidae|lacertid]] [[lizard]]. There are several [[subspecies]], including ''L. a. agilis'', ''L. a. argus'', and ''L. a. exigua.''

The sand lizard is distributed across most of [[Europe]] from the southern coast of [[United Kingdom|Britain]] and across the continent to [[Lake Baikal]] in [[Russia]].<ref>M., Smith (1969). ''The British Amphibians and Reptiles''. Collins, London, UK.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Lacerta Agilis LINNAEUS, 1758|url=https://lacerta.de/AS/Taxon.php?Genus=30&Species=99|access-date=30 August 2021|website=www.lacerta.de}}</ref> It does not occur in European [[Turkey]]. Its distribution is often patchy.<ref name="Arnold2007">{{cite journal|last1=Arnold|first1=E. Nicholas|last2=Arribas|first2=Oscar|last3=Carranza|first3=Salvador|title=Systematics of the Palaearctic and Oriental lizard tribe Lacertini (Squamata: Lacertidae: Lacertinae), with descriptions of eight new genera|journal=Zootaxa|date=2007|volume=1430|pages=1–86|url=http://molevol.cmima.csic.es/carranza/pdf/Lacertini2007.pdf|access-date=12 July 2017|publisher=Magnolia Press|location=Auckland, New Zealand|isbn=978-1-86977-097-6|doi=10.11646/zootaxa.1430.1.1}}</ref> In the northern extremes of the sand lizard's distribution, it survives by inhabiting seaside [[heath]]lands, where the ground temperature is elevated by the [[sun]]. The sand lizard uses warm sand to [[Thermoregulation|thermoregulate]] itself and to [[Egg incubation|incubate]] its eggs.

Males are known for their bright coloration and aggressive, possessive behaviors when seasonally competing for females. In contrast to other [[Squamata|squamates]], the sand lizard's mating season is very short. Males choose mates selectively, whereas females mate more indiscriminately. Females usually only lay a single clutch of eggs per year.

Sand lizards spend most of their time basking, foraging, or under vegetation. They prefer to live in diverse habitats. They are largely solitary outside of mating season. Male sand lizards typically have larger territories than females, and they will compete with other males when territory overlaps. Females neighbour each other more amicably, occasionally sharing habitats. 

Sand lizards may live up to ten years. Due to their longevity, they are sometimes prone to [[inbreeding]].