A HABITAT survey on common or viviparous lizards has been launched by the Irish Wildlife Federation (IWF). It is aimed at discovering new reptile colonies and is the first lizard survey to be conducted in Ireland.
Mr Ferdia Marnell, spokesman for the IWF said that conservationists have no idea of the distribution or abundance of lizards in Ireland.
As part of the survey, the IWF is circulating sighting record cards which they want people who have sighted lizards in the last few years to complete.
Lizards should be emerging from hibernation soon and sunny mornings in April and May are often the best time to see them", said Mr Marnell. Reptiles bask in sunlight to warm up their core temperature as they are cold blooded animals.
Common lizards are Ireland's only native reptile. A species of legless lizard - the slow worm - which is found in parts of the Burren, is believed to be a recent introduction.
Although common lizards are thought to be fairly widespread, the species is restricted to bogland and sand dune habitats.
Wildlife experts claim that lizard numbers have declined in recent years due to industrial developments along the coastline. The harvesting of turf for fuel and peat has also contributed to the disappearance of the species.
Mr Peter Foss of the Irish Peatlands Conservation Council believed that overgrazing by sheep and tree planting projects had seriously contributed to the decline of the species on blanket bogs in Wicklow.
"Many blanket bogs where lizards once lived have been eroded by grazing sheep", claimed Mr Foss.
He said that lizards manage to survive in habitats planted with trees for a time but die out when trees mature and block out sunlight which reptiles need to stay alive.