Politicians and their pets: Lorna Slater and her lizard, Bellamy

The Scottish Greens co-leader introduces us to her bearded dragon

Name and breed?

Bellamy, after David Bellamy, because he's a bearded dragon.

Age?

Really old, 15.

How long have you had him?

My husband got him a few months before we got together, and we've been together for 14.5 years.

Where did you get him?

My sister-in-law works in a pet shop; I think from her.

What can he do?

He spends most of his life regulating his body temperature. He moves to a warm spot for a while and then to a cool spot for a sleep.

What do you love about him?

The way he charges across the lounge to the sunbeams or to lie by the fire.

What special talents does he have?

Living to be 15 years. I think they normally only live to be nine or ten.

What’s his best trick?

He's good at climbing up, but not very good at climbing down. We once found him halfway up the living-room curtains.

What's his most annoying habit?

He scrabbles on the door of his terrarium when he wants to be let out for a run-around. It's very loud and irritating... does get our attention, though.

What’s the worst thing he’s done?

Pooped on the internet router. He likes to sleep there sometimes as it is a warm spot, but that got messy.

Do you think of yourself as a pet parent or pet owner?

I'm a sort of negligent step-parent.

What’s the most ridiculous thing you have bought or done for your pet?

I wanted to get him a leash so we could take him to the park on sunny days, but my husband wouldn't go for it.

What was the first pet you ever had?

A white rabbit called Finnegan.

If you could have any animal as a pet, what would it be?

A tortoise. I just love them.

If you could be any animal, what would you be?

A dolphin, definitely. I love to swim and they always look like they are having a good time.