Native Reptiles - Snakes


The Grass Snake (Natrix natrix) is the most abundant
snake in Britain. Commonly found south than the north.








The Adder (Vipera berus) is Britain’s only venomous
snake but will very rarely attack. The Adder is patchily
distributed in Britain.






Smooth Snake (Coronella austriaca)
The Smooth Snake is Britain's rarest reptile, estimated
breeding population of 4000, with a currently known
though very limited distribution confined to Dorset,
Hampshire, Surrey and West Sussex. (West Sussex is
after reintroduction).
(ENDANGERED)
Native Reptiles - Lizards

Common Lizard and the Slow Worm) and is the rarest
of our six reptile species. Surviving colonies are mostly
confined to heathland habitats within coniferous forests,
dry heaths in South Dorset, with only a few populations
remaining in heathlands of South-West Surrey and the
Merseyside sand dunes. And one long estabilished
introduced colony in breeding population of 7900.
(ENDANGERED)

The Common lizard (Lacerta vivipara) is as the name
suggests, widespread through Britain. Smaller and
faster-moving than its relative the Sand lizard, Common
lizards are between 10-15cm long, with narrow, pointed
heads. Whilst colouration can be variable, typically they
are dark or grey-brown, with dark streaks down the
body, and white or reddish blotches. To sex Common
lizards, it is necessary to view their undersides, as the
male has a bright yellow, speckled belly, whilst the
female’s is paler and unblemished. Distributed
throughout the UK.

.Slow-Worm (Anguis fragilis)
The Slow-Worm is a true lizard., The Slow-Worm is a
true lizard., as it has no legs. The Slow-Worm is though
it is often mistaken for a snake found throughout
England, Scotland and Wales.
These reptiles are
protected in Britain
under the Wildlife and
Countryside Act of 1981.

This protection under
law helps counteract the
decline of all the species.

The law makes it an
offence to intentionally
kill, injure, sell or
advertise to sell any of
the six native species.

There are some
exceptions relating only
to those bred and kept in
captivity or other
extraordinary
circumstances - in the
past collecting reptiles
for the pet trade severely
depleted local
populations.

The 1981 Act also
protects the rarest
reptiles in Britain, the
smooth snake and the
sand lizard, by making it
an offence, to possess,
handle, capture or
disturb them.