Native British Reptile Species

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1 Lowland Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire LBAP Forum October 2008 Reptile Workshop Chris Monk Derbyshire Amphibian and Reptile Group Introductions Your knowledge / experience of reptiles and what extra you would like to know Outcomes from the workshop 1. Be able to identify the native reptiles species found in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, the types of habitat that they use and their lifestyle 2. Understand the most effective way to survey for each species 3. Be aware of the legal protection afforded to the different species Native British Reptile Species REPTILES 1 LEATHERBACK TURTLE 2 GRASS SNAKE 3 SAND LIZARD 4 SLOW-WORM 5 SMOOTH SNAKE 6 ADDER 7 VIVIPAROUS LIZARD If you add Jersey 8 GREEN LIZARD 9 WALL LIZARD THOSE FOUND IN DERBYSHIRE & NOTTINGHAMSHIRE GRASS SNAKE COMMOM OR VIVIPAROUS LIZARD SLOW-WORM ADDER 1

2 Legal Protection All native British reptile species are legally protected All the species found in this area (ie the adder, grass snake, common lizard and slow-worm) are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act Under Section 9(1) it is an offence to intentionally kill or injure any reptile Under Section 9 (5) it is an offence to sell, offer for sale, transport for the purpose of sale or publish adverts to buy or sell any of the reptile species. The European Protected Species (the smooth snake, sand lizard and all marine turtles) listed in the EC Habitats Directive have additional protection of their breeding sites and places of shelter, and it is also prohibited to disturb them. There is also other animal welfare legislation that could apply to reptiles and the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 & later modifications require a licence for keeping Viperidae. Grass snake For descriptions of British reptiles see pages on websites such as:- Melanistic grass snakes a definite cluster between Chesterfield & Alfreton in the last few years The Herpetological Conservation Trust Reptiles & Amphibians of the UK 2

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4 The Adder Photograph by Graham Ella, March

5 Reptile habitat requirements Key things to consider when assessing habitat suitability for reptiles: Vegetation structure varied heights, mosaics, edges, basking places Extent big enough to support a population Aspect sunny, sheltered, unshaded places Topography undulating ground, banks, hummocks, hollows Connectivity is habitat isolated or connected to other areas by suitable corridors that reptiles can use. Disturbance adders particularly vulnerable to human disturbance, domestic cats prey on lizards. History Reptiles can be slow colonisers so may take time to establish in areas of recent habitat creation. Hibernation sites needed for the winter period to enable reptiles to be safe from frost and flooding. 5

6 Examples of good habitats Lowland heathland - ideal for all reptiles Woodland glade/forest ride Tussocky grass Rough grassy bank (south-facing) 6

7 Bramble thicket or the edge of gorse scrub Boundary bank Ponds, wetlands and riparian grass/scrub especially good for grass snakes 7

8 Manure heaps good for grass snake egg-laying Brash or log piles good for basking and protection Lush grass ideal for slow-worms Derelict/brownfield land 8

9 Reptile surveying Reptile survey should (ideally) combine two techniques: Visual searches Checking artificial refugia All species can be found using visual search but artificial refugia greatly increase chances of detection, especially for slow-worms. When to survey Best time of the year is the spring (especially March /April) when reptiles are most active and visible. They are getting into breeding condition and in cool weather they need to bask for longer at this time of year. As the spring becomes summer, survey is only possible in short periods and in very hot weather reptiles will hide away. As cooler autumn weather arrives survey conditions improve again as animals return to their hibernation areas and need to bask to raise their body temperature. When to survey for reptiles best time of year Bad Best Variable/ Poor Good Bad 9

10 When to survey for reptiles best time of day Early spring - middle hours of the day (c.11am-3pm) Late spring mid morning (c.9-11am) and late afternoon (c.4-6pm) Summer short periods in morning (c.7-9am) and evening (6-8pm); hot weather can produce totally negative results Autumn similar to spring timings However, time of day varies with weather too No clear-cut way of defining right/wrong weather however strong wind or heavy rain are not good times. Sunshine after rain is ideal as is first sunshine after dull overcast weather. Air temperature C but adders are out at lower temperatures. In early spring/late autumn sunny or partial cloud but in late spring/early autumn sun/cloud and bright overcast conditions forces reptiles to bask longer Weather vs time of day vs season Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sept Oct 10

11 How to carry out a visual search for reptiles Reptiles warm up by basking on the surface, in vegetation or lying under warm objects (refugia). They may spend several hours every day doing this and that is the best time to find them. Walk slowly, scanning sunny sides of vegetation Keep sun behind you or to your side Tune your eye in to vegetation interfaces Often places where reptiles bask along edges Seldom far from dense cover for protection Visual search - where and how to spot reptiles Walk slowly, scanning the ground as you go 11

12 Visual search - where and how to spot reptiles Look for sheltered spots that act as suntraps particularly the junction between vegetation types/heights Use of refugia in reptile surveys Slow-worms surveys must involve refugia (rarely seen otherwise) Adders, grass snakes refugia can be useful (but more often found by visual search) Common lizards refugia can be useful (but must use visual search as well also they may often be found on top of refugia) Natural objects can be refugia, so careful turning over of logs, large stones etc should be part of the survey technique. ALWAYS replace these in their original position making sure not to squash any animals below them. Take precautions and extreme care in moving refugia (both natural and artificial) in areas that may support adders do not put your fingers under! Remember to always conduct a visual search when walking between refugia 12

13 Artificial refugia Corrugated metal is often the best but beware of sharp or rusty edges and cannot be used where farm stock are present. Roofing material/felt good Rubber car mats, plastic sheeting, carpet ok How to use artificial refugia Size should be at least half a square metre (70 x 70cm) Choose sunny locations in deep cover or edge of dense vegetation Away from public view and livestock Press down close to the ground Not on bare ground/sparse cover Lift and replace refugia carefully taking care not to squash retreating animals Use a stick or adder-proof glove if necessary to ensure safety Examples of artificial refugia Old rusty tins are often effective but safer to use modern corrugated bitumen-based roofing material 13

14 Roofing felt as artificial refugia weight light materials with stone/brick Pre-existing objects acting as refugia 14