Embedded Files
How you can help reptiles
If you would like to help reptiles thrive in your garden, here is what you can do:
- Provide a diverse vegetation structure that can provide a mix of isolated basking spots and nearby cover.
- Provide low-lying rocks - reptiles will use these to bask on.
- Implement a compost heap in a sunny position - having two would be beneficial.
- Create a small wildlife pond.
- Allow sections of your grass to grow long to provide cover for reptiles - it is suggested this is done along the base of a hedgerow in sunny conditions.
- Create log and/or brush piles to act as refuges and hibernaculums.
Garden netting - use with care or avoid it entirely. However, stretching netting over a log pile may help common lizards escape from cat predation. However, netting should be larger than 4cm and kept taught.
If you need specific advice on how you can benefit reptiles, please contact info@balcombeecologicalsociety.co.uk, and Ethan will get back to you.
Logging reptile sightings
Please log all your sightings on iRecord with the following details attached:
- Image
- Species (we can confirm this for you if required)
- Location
- Date and Time
Alternatively, please email info@balcombeecologicalsociety.co.uk with the above details if you do not have iNaturalist.
We will then forward this to the Sussex Biodiversity and Recording Centre (your name will not be shared).
What to do if you see an injured reptile
Please contact the local wildlife rescue:
Rangers Lodge - 01403 379446 - Rangers Lodge Wildlife Hospital, Forest Rd, Horsham RH12 4TB.
Native Reptiles found in England
Snakes
Grass snake - Natrix natrix
Grass snakes are a common species of reptile throughout England. They are not venomous and are harmless to humans if bitten; however, they do 'musk' which can leave a smell for around 14 days.
Grass snakes enjoy habitats such as grasslands, woodland, wetlands, and gardens. They eat small mammals, small birds, and amphibians.
The last record submitted to the Sussex Biodiversity Recording Centre of a grass snake was in 2002!
Image adopted from a BBC article.
Adder - Vipera berus
Adders are found all over England, but are very rarely found in gardens. They are a venomous species of snake and can be harmful to humans and animals if not treated by a doctor or vet.
Adders enjoy habitats such as commons, woodlands, heathland, and coastal habitats. They eat small mammals and small birds.
The last record submitted to the Sussex Biodiversity Recording Centre of an adder was in 1990!
Image adopted from a Sussex Wildlife Trust article.
Smooth snake - Coronella austriaca
Smooth snakes are found throughout England, but are very rare and very localised. They are a highly protected species and require a license to handle and disturb them.
Smooth snakes are not found in gardens and are localised to dunes and heathlands.
There are no records of a smooth snake in Balcombe.
Image adopted from a Woodland Trust article.
Lizards
Common lizard - Zootoca vivipara
A common species found throughout England.
Common lizards are found throughout an array of habitats, including grasslands, woodlands, heathlands, and gardens. They eat spiders and insects.
There are no records of common lizards in Balcombe.
Image adopted from ARC.
Sand lizard - Lacerta agilis
Sand lizards are a rare species and are localised to certain regions. Due to habitat loss, they are now only found (naturally) on protected heathland and sand dune sites. They are not found in gardens.
There are no records of sand lizards in Balcombe.
Image adopted from ARC.
Slow worm - Anguis fragilis
Slow worms are a common species throughout England. Slow worms are found in habitats such as commons, grasslands, woodlands, heathlands, and gardens. They eat small-moving pray, such as slugs.
The last submitted record to the Sussex Biodiversity Recording Centre of a slow worm was in 2002!
Image adopted from ARC.
Legislation affecting reptiles
In the United Kingdom, all native reptile species are protected by law. There are different levels of protection offered to different species. They are:
The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1984
Under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1984, all species of reptiles are protected. However, different species have protection from different human acts. A breakdown can be found below:
Adder - protected against intentional killing, causing injury, sale and/or trading.
Grass snake - protected against intentional killing, causing injury, sale and/or trading.
Slow worm - protected against intentional killing, causing injury, sale and/or trading.
Common lizard - protected against intentional killing, causing injury, sale and/or trading.
However, the smooth snake and sand lizard require further legal protection under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 - this designates these two species as a European Protected Species (EPS). A breakdown of their legal protection can be found below:
Sand lizard & Smooth snake - protected against deliberate capture, injury, death, disturbance, damaging or destroying their breeding/resting site, possessing them, and selling them. Furthermore, to survey for this species, a surveyor must hold a license (GCN: CL08/CL09; Natterjack Toad: A29).
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse