The European common or viviparous lizard (Zootoca vivipara) is named because it is viviparous - which means it delivers live young which have developed inside the body of the parent rather than laying eggs. Both "Zootoca" and "vivipara" mean "live birth," in Greek and Latin respectively. It is found across many habitats, including heathland, moorland, woodland and grassland, where it can be seen basking in sunny spots. The common lizard is variable in colour, but is usually brownish-grey, often with rows of darker spots or stripes down the back and sides. Males have bright yellow or orange undersides with spots, while females have paler, plain bellies. It has the largest range of all terrestrial lizards which include subarctic regions.