Kittric: Reptiles Native to the British Isles

Some areas of heathland such as those to the west of Poole Harbour in Dorset are so suited to the needs of our native reptile species that all six are to be found there.

Bibliography

Links

The Common Lizard Lacerta vivipara

The Sand Lizard Lacerta agilis
The sand lizard was once widespread across mature dry heathland and coastal sand dunes. Now threatened, the species is restricted to natural populations in Dorset, Surrey and Merseyside. Together with the smooth snake, the sand lizard is the rarest of our reptiles. It is the only of the native species to lay eggs.

The Slow Worm Anguis fragilis
Although it appears superficially to resemble a snake, the slow worm is, in fact, a lizard which has lost its legs to facilitate its burrowing habit.

Bibliography

Links

There are three snakes which are native to the British Isles. Of these, only the adder is venomous. The slow worm is, despite its appearance, a burrowing lizard which has lost its legs.

The Adder or Viper Vipera berus
The only venomous snake native to the British Isles, the adder or viper bears a characteristic zig-zag marking on its back. The snake will flee if it feels threatened and will only bite if it feels cornered.

The Grass Snake Natrix natrix

The Smooth Snake Coronella austriaca
Together with the sand lizard, the smooth snake is the rarest of our reptiles.

See also the Slow Worm which looks superficially like a snake but is a leg-less Lizard.

Bibliography

Links

Leatherback Turtle
Sheer size allows these tropical, the largest of marine turtles, to survive in the cold waters off our coasts where other reptiles cannot survive. they are often caught up (and drowned) in fishing gear.

Bibliography

Locally

Links

Links to Other Pages on this Site

Links to Other Sites
. . . . . the inclusion of these links to other sites is for the interest and convenience of visitors to this site only and does not imply any endorsement of the products or services offered by the individuals or organisations involved nor the accuracy of the information contained therein . . . . .

Bibliography

Links

Locally

All six reptiles are found on the following sites

DORSET
Studland Peninsula

Links

Locally

Bibliography

Recommend a Book for this Page

Hits on this page since December 6th

Jan 37
Feb 2
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

current year: previous year:

Lizards
Common Lizard
Sand Lizard
Slow Worm
Snakes
Adder
Grass Snake
Smooth Snake
Viper

Links
Locally
Bibliography

ALPHABETICAL
SITE INDEX
Select ;-
Aa-Az Ba-Bz Ca-Cz Da-Dz Ea-Ez Fa-Fz Ga-Gz Ha-Hz Ia-Iz Ja-Jz Ka-Kz La-Lz Ma-Mz Na-Nz Oa-Oz Pa-Pz Qa-Qz Ra-Rz Sa-Sz Ta-Tz Ua-Uz Va-Vz Wa-Wz Ya-Yz
SW COUNTIES

DISCLAIMER: Whilst we endeavour to ensure the content of this site is correct, we cannot undertake that information you find here, is, or will remain accurate and complete. We do not warrant that any information contained on this site is fit for any purpose. If you wish to place reliance on any such information you must check its accuracy by some other means before doing so.

If you are in any way connected with any location mentioned on this site or have an interest in any of its contents and have an hour or two a month to spare, we would welcome you as a local moderator - please email the webmaster by CLICKING HERE.