Reptile

There are six species of reptiles native to the UK. Adder, common lizard and slow worm, are most prevalent on dry heathlands and moors, but semi-natural areas with heath-like conditions such as railway embankments, sea walls, road verges, churchyards, golf courses and almost any area with a sunny south facing slope and open vegetation may be suitable. The grass snake feeds mainly on amphibians and is mainly associated with wetlands and grasslands. Sand lizard and smooth snake are restricted to heaths and downs in the south of England.

Legislation

All native reptiles are protected in Britain under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Section 9 (4) a-c. This protection under law helps counteract the decline of all the species. The law protects against;

  • Intentional killing and injuring (note the provision in section 9(1) of Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 prohibiting “taking” does not apply to reptiles);
  • Selling, offering or exposing for sale, or having in possession or transporting for the purpose of sale, any live or dead wild animal or any part of, or anything derived from, such an animal; or
  • Publishing or causing to be published any advertisement likely to be understood as conveying buying or selling, or intending to buy or sell, any of those things.

Survey

Reptile surveys combine a transect walk across the site with the laying out and checking of artificial refugia made of tin sheet or squares of roofing felt. The refugia are set out in an array, within areas of suitable habitat and are regularly checked for reptiles, which like to bask on the warm surface, or hide underneath it.

All native reptiles hibernate, and survey can only be carried out during the summer.