 |
 |
| Reptiles - Snakes and Lizards |
In Britain there are six naturally occurring, native species of reptile, consisting of three species of Snake and three species of Lizards.
Of those, two species, the Smooth Snake and the Sand Lizard are endangered species.
It should be noted that there are a several introduced species which have become naturalised and of these, some pose a threat to our native wildlife.
Lifecycle
The folowing is used to illustrate the lifecycle of each species. |
 = hibernation |
 = emergence* |
 = mating* |
 = gravid females* |
|
 = young emerge* |
 = adults |
* note that during these times, adults may be seen |
| |
| This page is currently under construction. |
|
|
 |
|
Find Out More |
|
|
For more information about reptiles, visit the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) Trust web site at: http://www.arc-trust.org |
|
| |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Terms used in Descriptions |
|
|
Heliotherm relates to an animal warmed by direct sun rays but can
influence the degree of warming by behaviour known as ‘posturing’ (orientating or flattening body) or by ‘shuttling’ between sun and shade patches (Grass Snakes are Shuttling Heliotherms). Snakes also demonstrate ‘mosaic basking’. This is basking under vegetation, which acts as cover
and allows mosaics of sun through its canopy.
Thigmotherm is a term which describes animals that warm themselves by selecting areas or surfaces that have been
warmed by the sun, e.g. warm areas below refugia such as stones.
Voluntary Range (°C) is the body temperature range for normal reptile activity. |
|
|
|
|
|
| Grass Snake - Natrix natrix |
|
Grass Snakes can be found throughout England and Wales. There are no records from Scotland and they do not occur in Ireland. They often occur in gardens, especially in rural areas where frogs and other amphibians occur. They can be found in many habitats from disused railway lines to ancient woodland. Grass Snakes will bask on rocks, open patches of grassland and sheltered depressions among vegetation often moving between warm and cool areas to regulate body temperature (also known as Shuttling Heliotherm).
Grass Snakes are non-venomous but may hiss and occasionally strike if you get close but they rarely bite. Often they will feign death if they feel they have been cornered.
The female Grass Snake lays its eggs in June or July, often in compost heaps or piles of rotting vegetation which act as a natural incubator. They are often laid communally with other snakes and individuals are often faithful to breeding sites, returning year after year to lay eggs. The eggs hatch at the end of summer. Grass Snakes are reported to live up to 28 years in the wild.
It is against the law in Britain to kill, injure, sell or trade Grass Snakes. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grass Snake
(Natrix natrix)
Photo by Steven Cheshire |
Grass Snake
(Natrix natrix)
Photo by Steven Cheshire |
Grass Snake
(Natrix natrix)
Photo by Steven Cheshire |
Grass Snake
(Natrix natrix)
Photo by Steven Cheshire |
|
|
|
|
Grass Snake
(Natrix natrix)
Photo by Steven Cheshire |
Grass Snake
(Natrix natrix)
Photo by Steven Cheshire |
Grass Snake
(Natrix natrix)
Photo by Steven Cheshire |
|
| Adder or Viper - Vipera berus |
Adders tend to avoid humans, however, they do have a poisonous bite which can be very painful and require need medical attention. An Adder bit is rarely fatal with on average less than one human death every 10 years in Britain.
The Adder can be found throughout Britain. It is absent from Ireland but occurs across Europe as far north as the Arctic Circle.
Adders prefer habitats such as heathland, moorland and open woodland, often in isolated colonies. They feed primarily on small mammals
After mating in April/May, the female Adders give birth to live young August. They do not lay eggs like the grass snake, instead, the eggs develop within the female. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adder
(Vipera berus)
Photo by Steven Cheshire |
|
|
|
| Smooth Snake - Coronella austriaca |
As Britain’s rarest reptile, the Smooth Snake only occurs on heathland in Dorset, Hampshire, Surrey and West Sussex. Many of these site also support the rare Sand Lizard.
The Smooth Snake prefers to hide under stones or logs but can also be seen basking among vegetation where is is highly camouflaged.
Smooth Snakes are non-venomous and pose no threat to humans. They feed on small mammals and lizards which it kills by constriction.
Like the Adder, the live young of the Smooth Snake are born in late summer especially during September
Because of the extreme rarity of the Smooth Snake, it is against the law in Britain to kill, injure, sell, trade, capture, disturb them or damage/destroy their habitat. |
|
|
| Common or Viviparous - Zootoca vivipara |
This Common Lizard, as its name suggests is the most widespread lizard in Britain and can often be seen on commons, heaths, moorland, dry stone walls and embankments. It is the only species of reptile which is native to Ireland. In Europe, It is widespread with a range which extends into the Arctic Circle.
Common lizards feed primarily on spiders and other small insects.
Mating takes place in spring. The females give birth to live young which are jet black in August.
It is against the law in Britain to kill, injure, sell or trade in Common Lizards. The law is more strict in Northern Ireland and are protected against killing, injuring, capturing, disturbance, possession or trade. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Lizard
(Zootoca vivipara)
Photo by Steven Cheshire |
|
|
|
| Slow-worm - Anguis fragilis |
Often mistaken as a snake, the Slow-worm is actually a legless lizard. The slow-worm is often found in gardens but occur throughout Britain. It does not occur in Ireland although an introduced population can be found in the Burren.
Slow-worms like warm location but prefer to hide under a stone or similar object which absorbs heat (known as a Thigmotherm). They can also be found in compost heaps which are warm and provide lots of food such as slugs.
Slow-worms give birth to live young within a membranous sac from which the young emerge in September. They can live for up to 14 years in the wild.
It is against the law in Britain to kill, injure, sell or trade in Slow-worms. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Slow-worm
(Anguis fragilis) female
Photo by Steven Cheshire |
Slow-worm
(Anguis fragilis) female
Photo by Steven Cheshire |
Slow-worm
(Anguis fragilis) female
Photo by Steven Cheshire |
Slow-worm
(Anguis fragilis) female
Photo by Steven Cheshire |
|
|
|
|
Slow-worm
(Anguis fragilis) female
Photo by Steven Cheshire |
Slow-worm
(Anguis fragilis) female
Photo by Steven Cheshire |
Slow-worm
(Anguis fragilis) male
Photo by Steven Cheshire |
Slow-worm
(Anguis fragilis) male
Photo by Steven Cheshire |
| |
|
|
|
|
Slow-worm
(Anguis fragilis) male
Photo by Steven Cheshire |
Slow-worm
(Anguis fragilis) male
Photo by Steven Cheshire |
|
| Sand Lizard - Lacerta agilis |
Due to continued habitat loss, The Sand Lizard only occurs on sandy heathland in Surrey, Dorset and Hampshire and in Merseyside on coastal sand dunes. Sand lizards have been re-introduced to other sites in an attempt to halt its decline. As a result, they may also be seen in North Wales, Devon, Cornwall and West Sussex.
In May/June, the female Sand Lizard lays its eggs in sand in a sunny location. This provides a natural incubator until the eggs hatch between August and October. As a result, this species is confined to heathland and sand dune habitats.
Because of the extreme rarity of the Sand Lizard, it is against the law in Britain to kill, injure, sell, trade, capture, disturb them or damage/destroy their habitat. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
