Snakes, lizards and worm-lizards
This Order includes the snakes (Serpentes), lizards (Sauria) and worm-lizards (Amphisbaenia).
Squamata (scaled reptiles) is the largest recent order of reptiles, including lizards and snakes. Members of the order are distinguished by their skins, which bear horny scales or shields. They also possess movable quadrate bones, making it possible to move the upper jaw relative to the braincase. This is particularly visible in snakes, which are able to open their mouths very widely to accommodate comparatively large prey. The male members of the group Squamata are the only vertebrates with a hemipenis. This is also the only reptile group in which can be found both viviparous and ovoviviparous species, as well as the usual oviparous reptiles.
The Squamata occurring in the British Isles:
Snakes:
- Grass Snake, Natrix natrix
- Smooth Snake, Coronella austriaca
- Adder, Vipera berus
- Aesculapian Snake, Zamenis longissimus
Lizards:
- Common Wall Lizard, Podarcis muralis
- Sand Lizard, Lacerta agilis
- Western Green Lizard, Lacerta bilineata
- Viviparous Lizard, Zootoca vivipara
- Slow Worm, Anguis fragilis