The sand lizard is one of the UK rarest reptiles, confined to a few heathland sites in England and Wales, and is the subject of a successful reintroduction programme.
Sand lizard welfare depends on maintaining and restoring open heathland with suitable south-facing sandy areas for thermoregulation and egg laying. Loss of habitat through succession, shading, and development has eliminated populations from most former sites. Heathland restoration directly benefits this charismatic species.