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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 tight.
If you need specific advice on how you can benefit reptiles, please contact info@balcombeecologicalsociety.co.uk.
Logging reptile sightings
Please log your sightings on iNaturalist 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 ๐
Grass snakes are a common non-venomous reptile found throughout England ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ. While harmless to humans, they can release a strong musk smell if handled, which may linger for up to 14 days ๐ฆจ.
They thrive in a variety of habitats, including grasslands ๐พ, woodlands ๐ณ, wetlands ๐ง, and gardens ๐ก. Their diet consists of small mammals ๐ญ, birds ๐ฆ, and amphibians ๐ธ.
Image adopted from a BBC article.
Adder โ Vipera berus ๐
Adders are found across England, though they are rarely seen in gardens. As the UKโs only venomous snake, their bites can be harmful to humans and animals if left untreated by a medical professional or vet ๐.
They thrive in habitats such as commons ๐ฟ, woodlands ๐ณ, heathland ๐๏ธ, and coastal areas ๐๏ธ. Their diet consists of small mammals ๐ญ and birds ๐ฆ.
Image adopted from a Sussex Wildlife Trust article.
Smooth Snake โ Coronella austriaca ๐
Smooth snakes are found throughout England, but they are extremely rare and highly localised. As a strictly protected species, they require a license to handle or disturb ๐.
They are not found in gardens and are primarily localised to dunes ๐๏ธ and heathlands ๐๏ธ.
Image adopted from a Woodland Trust article.
Lizards
Common Lizard โ Zootoca vivipara ๐ฆ
The common lizard is a widespread species found throughout England. These adaptable reptiles thrive in a variety of habitats, including grasslands ๐พ, woodlands ๐ณ, heathlands ๐๏ธ, and even gardens ๐ก.
Their diet consists mainly of spiders and insects ๐ท๏ธ๐.
Image adopted from ARC.ย
Sand Lizard โ Lacerta agilis ๐ฆ
Sand lizards are a rare and localised species, found only in specific regions across the UK. Due to habitat loss, they now exist naturally only in protected heathlands ๐๏ธ and dune sites ๐๏ธ. They are not found in gardens.
ย
Image adopted from ARC.ย
Slow Worm โ Anguis fragilis ๐
Slow worms are a common species found throughout England. These legless lizards thrive in a variety of habitats, including commons ๐ฟ, grasslands ๐พ, woodlands ๐ณ, heathlands ๐๏ธ, and even gardens ๐ก.
Their diet consists of small, slow-moving prey like slugs ๐.
Image adopted from ARC.ย
Legislation affecting reptiles
In the United Kingdom, all native reptile species are protected by law, with varying levels of legal safeguards depending on the species. Below is a summary of the key legislation and protections:
1. Wildlife and Countryside Act 1984 (Schedule 5)
Under this Act, all reptile species in the UK are protected from specific harmful human activities. The following species are protected against intentional killing, causing injury, sale, and/or trading:
Adder ๐
Grass Snake ๐
Slow Worm ๐
Common Lizard ๐ฆ
2. Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017
The smooth snake and sand lizard receive additional legal protection under this regulation, as they are designated as European Protected Species (EPS). Their protection includes:
Deliberate capture, injury, or killing
Disturbance (including during breeding or resting)
Damaging or destroying their breeding/resting sites
Possession or sale of the species
Additionally, surveying for these species requires a license (e.g., GCN: CL08, CL09 for smooth snakes and sand lizards, or A29 for Natterjack Toads).
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