Reptile Surveys

About Reptiles

Two of the UK’s reptile species; smooth snake and sand lizard, are afforded the highest level of protection under European Protected Species status and UK law. This makes it an offence to deliberately or recklessly; Capture, injure or kill, disturb, take / destroy eggs, damage / destroy a breeding site or resting place

Any work or development which affects smooth snake or sand lizard will require a European Protected Species Licence from Natural England.

The other four UK reptile species which are more widespread and common are protected under amendments to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 against killing or injury, and are additionally Species of Principal Importance in England under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006. These are; Adder, Grass snake, Common lizard, Slow worm

Reptiles are ectotherms, which means that they rely on external heat sources to raise their body temperature, as they are cold–blooded animals. They require basking spots to raise their temperature allowing them to become active, conversely they require areas of shade and cover to reduce body temperature and prevent overheating. These species specific requirements mean that they prefer sites that offer a diversity of habitats, aspects and climatic conditions, in addition to a nearby source of food. Typically suitable reptile habitats will include; upland and lowland heathland, woodland and woodland edge habitat, rough grassland and scrub, railway embankments and brownfield sites where a mosaic of shaded and open habitats are present.

Reptiles hibernate over winter under dense vegetation, in stone walls, log and compost piles, and animal burrows where temperatures are more stable. Overwintering sites are known as hibernacula.

Reptile Case Study

Pennine Ecological were commissioned to undertake a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal of proposed warehouse development site located within an existing business park. Although the site had been subject to significant historical landform disturbance, its location between a canal and river, together with highly suitable reptile basking spots and refuges on site, such as large weathered slabs of concrete were considered to provide highly suitable habitats for reptiles, particularly grass snake. Therefore an Artificial Refuge Survey using roofing felt mats was recommended. Following the completion of seven site visits over several months, a small population of grass snake were discovered to be present.

A programme of carefully managed and supervised vegetation removal was undertaken over an extended period to encourage dispersal of the species off site. Careful hand searches and destructive searches of potential concrete slab hibernacula were then undertaken. Thankfully no grass snakes were found, indicating that carefully managed vegetation removal had been successful in encouraging safe dispersal of the species. However, the design of the sites peripheral areas included re-locating the concrete hibernacula structures and creating suitable basking spots / areas of shaded scrub and woodland around the periphery the site, whilst ensuring habitat linkages with surrounding highly suitable river and canal habitats were maintained.