Reptiles in your garden: your questions answered

www.naturalengland.org.uk Legal protection Because of their rarity, all British Reptiles in your garden Reptiles are an important part of our are protected against killing, injury wildlife heritage and play a key role and sale. The smooth and sand in natural ecosystems. Unfortunately, receive additional protection Reptiles in England all English reptiles have declined in that prohibits their disturbance or England is home to three species of snake (grass snake, adder and smooth numbers over the last few decades, capture and damage caused to their snake) and three species of lizard (common lizard, slow-worm and sand mainly because their habitats have habitat. There is a fine of up to £5,000 lizard). They are fascinating , but are often overlooked or been lost, fragmented or poorly and/or up to six months imprisonment misunderstood. , in particular, have suffered from a poor public image. managed. for any of these offences.

In many cases, reptiles will go entirely unnoticed in a garden, but sometimes their discovery will provoke fear. This booklet should ease any worries you may Which reptiles live in my garden? have and provide answers to many common questions. Which snake? encountered snake species. Adders Grass snakes are adept swimmers, and hunt in garden ponds for . Try to take note of the snake’s rarely turn up in gardens, but if you Paul Sterry/Nature Photographers Ltd markings and colouration. The chart live close to particular habitats in on pages 12-13 and accompanying certain parts of the country you may pictures should help you to identify it. come across them (see chart). In There’s a good chance that your ‘snake’ addition to our native English reptiles, will in fact be a slow-worm (a legless escaped or abandoned pet snakes are lizard). These are often mistaken for sometimes found in gardens – most snakes, and are regularly found in commonly in urban or suburban gardens. Of the ‘true’ snakes, the grass areas. These species have a wide snake is by far the most commonly range of colours and sizes.

Which lizard? unless you live in one of the few There are three native English : counties where it is found. Many slow-worms, common lizards and animals reported as lizards in gardens sand lizards. Slow-worms (legless actually turn out to be newts, which lizards that are often mistaken for is not surprising as they look similar. snakes) are the most common lizards Newts are often found when turning in English gardens. The common over stones, debris and pieces of lizard (despite its name) is more wood in the garden. The photos on restricted in habitat, and only tends page 21 illustrate the differences to turn up in gardens if you live close between a newt and a lizard. If you to particular habitats. Sand lizards find a lizard that doesn’t match any of are very rare in Britain, and it is the descriptions here, it may be an extremely unlikely you will see one escaped pet, but this is unlikely. 2 3 Sand lizard agilis If you see a snake in your garden…

• Keep calm.

• Take a good look, but don’t touch, catch or trap it.

• Remember that it is illegal to kill or injure native snakes.

• Use the chart and photos in this booklet to identify it (see pages 4 to 7 and 12-13).

• Grass snakes and slow-worms are harmless and are frequent garden visitors. Adders, which are venomous, are rarely found in gardens.

Identification photos – not to scale. See the chart on pages 12-13 for actual sizes. Common lizard Lacerta vivipara Above: Adult female (left) showing two light bands on back, and white-centred dark blotches. Adult Right: Female with newborn young. Some male (right) showing bright green sides, most obvious in spring. Sand lizards are much larger than common lizards, as here, have obvious stripes. common lizards. Hugh Clark/Nature Photographers Ltd The young are always dark brown, with few obvious markings. Laurie Campbell/NHPA Below: Juvenile sand lizards are mainly dark brown, with white-centred dark blotches (especially noticeable on their sides). Derek Middleton/FLPA Below: Basking adult male. This species is able to flatten its body to better absorb the sun’s heat. Jim Foster/Natural England

4 5 Slow-worm Anguis fragilis

Left: Adult females have dark brown sides, and often a thin stripe along the top of the body ending in a blotch on the head. Examined closely, the stripe can sometimes appear as a very fine zigzag (but do not confuse this with the thicker markings on the adder). A. R. Hamblin/FLPA

Left: Young slow-worms are golden, silver or copper on top. They have black sides and a black stripe down the back, ending in Smooth snake Coronella austriaca a blotch on the head. Females retain this basic pattern, while males lose it with age. Above: The smooth snake is normally grey or Laurie Campbell/NHPA brown with darker paired markings down the back. It is rarely found in gardens. R. Wilmshurst/FLPA Below: Adult males have few obvious markings, often being plain grey or brown. Non-natives Note the shiny, cylindrical appearance. Slow-worms may have blunt tails. Right: Escaped or abandoned pet snakes, such Mike Lane/NHPA as this corn snake from North America, show a wide range of colours and sizes. Leonard Lee Rue/FLPA

Grass snake natrix Left: Grass snakes almost always have an obvious yellow, orange or white marking, bordered by a black marking on the neck. These marks can be crescents, V-marks or can appear as a single band or ‘collar’. Females lay 10 to 40 leathery eggs in late June to July. A. R. Hamblin/FLPA

Left : Occasionally, grass snakes are very dark all over and the light neck marks are reduced or missing. However, the black marks on the neck and sides are still present. Mike Lane/NHPA

6 7 Grass snake Natrix natrix. cont. Fear of snakes snake responsible. These cases are Left: Juvenile grass snakes often have very more likely to be due to spider bites obvious light neck markings. They are Finding a snake in your garden can be (there are several British species around 15 cm (6 in) and are very thin at hatching (late August to September). a shock, but after the initial surprise capable of delivering a surprisingly Jim Foster/Natural England many people grow to appreciate these painful bite) or pricking by thorns. fascinating creatures. On the other and dogs are occasionally bitten hand, some people have a genuine by adders, but these bites rarely prove snake phobia that is hard to shake off. fatal and probably occur more often in The fear provoked by snakes is the countryside than in gardens. Vets disproportionate to the threat they and doctors in areas where adders pose – which is normally none at all, as occur are usually experienced in grass snakes (the commonest species) handling bite cases, and there are very Adder are harmless to people. However, the effective treatments. stress some people experience when Below: Adult females (left) have a light brown background with darker brown markings. Males dealing with snakes is very real. Such Some female and juvenile adders are (right) are grey or whitish with black markings. Joe Blossom/NHPA people may require assistance when reddish-brown, as below. Occasionally adders are all black (melanistic) with just a faint trace dealing with snake encounters; of zigzag markings. Robin Chittenden/FLPA behavioral therapy or hypnotherapy may help in the long term.

How harmful are adders? The adder is the only venomous snake in Britain, a fact which has earned it a dubious public image. Bites from adders are very rare, and most occur when a snake is picked up. Most reactions to adder bites are mild, but any bite should be regarded as potentially serious and immediate medical advice should be sought. In the last century just 12 human deaths in Britain have been attributed to adder bites. This compares with several deaths every year due to insect stings.

Occasionally, people working in their garden report being bitten by an adder, but say they did not see the

8 9 Learning to live with reptiles Why do snakes live in my garden? garden. At first, this can cause Unless you have a very large garden concern to some, but a few facts can containing plenty of wildlife areas, it is help reassure you: unlikely that snakes live there • Reptiles are timid. When they permanently. It’s more likely that the detect people or pets they snakes in your garden are just visitors. normally flee and seek cover. The more habitats there are • Grass snakes and slow-worms near to your house, the more likely it is (the most common reptile species that you will have a reptilian visitor. in gardens) are harmless to people and pets. Living near the following types of area • Reptiles hibernate from around increases the likelihood of finding October to March, and most reptiles in your garden: garden visits are reported in June • nature reserves containing to September. You are only likely important habitats such as to see them during a short period heathland and rough grassland of the year. • derelict urban areas, such as • You are most likely to see reptiles abandoned factory sites on warm, sunny days. On these • disused quarries days they will be more active, and • allotments quicker to flee. • unshaded road and rail banks with • When working in the garden, grass/scrub cover be prepared to find reptiles if • ponds, rivers and other wetlands* you lift up debris or are working • muck heaps on farms and stables.* near features such as hedges, ponds, compost heaps and areas The following features in your garden of long grass. may attract reptiles: • If you see a reptile in your garden, • ponds* report it to a reptile conservation • compost or grass cuttings heap* group (see Contacts, page 22). • wildlife areas with long grass They may be interested to hear and shrubs about your discovery (especially • rockeries if it is an unusual species) and can • wood, rock and rubble piles. offer you further advice. • It is best not to handle snakes and Living near a good reptile habitat lizards, as it can harm them. means that snakes or lizards may

become regular visitors to your * Applies mainly to grass snakes Bird/FLPA embankments. Ray Reptiles often thrive on railway 10 11 Garden reptile identification chart – use alongside the photos on pages 4 to 8

Colours, markings, Typical Distribution Preferred habitats Occurrence in gardens key identification features adult length (excluding gardens)

Common Light and dark spots, flecks and stripes on 14 cm (5 in) Widespread across England but Heathland, bogs, moorland, Rare, except where lizard brown/grey background. Very variable. normally occurs in small areas where woodland edge, rough grassland; good habitats are near Young may be all brown or black. Often preferred habitats occur. Absent from often found in derelict urban areas the garden. basks on rocks, wood piles, etc. area of intensive agriculture. and on railway banks.

Slow-worm Brown, copper, golden or grey; may have 35 cm (14 in) Widespread across England. Common Heathland, bogs, moorland, Frequent if slow-worms black/dark brown sides and thin stripe (NB. many in some localities, but absent from areas woodland edge, rough grassland; present in general area, on back. Small head, often with dark slow-worms of intensive agriculture. often found in derelict urban areas and garden has long spot. Very shiny. Tail often blunt. lose their and on railway banks. grass and refuges such Normally discovered underneath objects tails, so can as wood piles. May be lying on ground. be shorter.) found in city gardens.

Sand lizard Light and dark spots/blotches on brown 18 cm (7 in) Highly restricted. Mostly in Dorset, a few Predominantly dry heathland (south) Very rare – only likely or green background. Two light bands populations in Merseyside (Sefton or sand dunes (Merseyside). May near heathland in on either side of back. Normally seen Coast), Hampshire, Surrey, West Sussex, also occur on adjacent grassland, Dorset or sandy areas basking. Berkshire, Devon, Cornwall. derelict urban areas, railway banks. on Sefton Coast.

Grass snake Background: olive-green, brown or grey. 75 cm (2 ft) Widespread across central and southern Normally associated with ponds, Frequent, especially Neck: yellow or white mark, next to black England, but much rarer north of the lakes, streams, rivers, canals, close to ponds, farms or mark. Black bars down sides, some black Midlands. marshes. Travel widely in stables with muck spots on top. Markings are occasionally surrounding habitats: woodland, heaps. Can travel long faint. Normally seen in or near ponds, or grassland, low intensity farmland, distances. Compost basking in sunny spot. Very fast moving. heathland, derelict urban areas. heaps and ponds may attract grass snakes.

Adder Background: grey or brown; may be 55 cm (2 ft) Found in most counties of England, but Heathland, bogs, moorland, Rare, except when near reddish. Dark brown, reddish or black restricted to distinct patches of suitable woodland edge, rough grassland; to favoured habitats – zigzag from head to tail. Spots on sides. habitat (sometimes very small areas). sometimes on derelict urban areas more likely in sand or Entirely black adders sometimes occur. Largely absent or rare in the north-west and railway banks. Prefer sandy or chalk areas in Dorset, Normally seen basking in sunny spots. and the Midlands. chalky soils; rare on clay soils. Cornwall, Hampshire, Surrey and Sussex.

Smooth Background: grey or brown. 55 cm (2 ft) Highly restricted. Mostly in Dorset, some Predominantly heathland (as above). Very rare – only close to snake Dark blotches on back, normally in pairs. populations in Hampshire and Surrey. May also occur on adjacent heathland sites in Dark blotch on head. Secretive, normally grassland, derelict urban areas, Dorset, Hampshire and found underneath objects. railway banks. Surrey.

Escaped pet Various. Various. Can be anywhere close to population Normally in urban or suburban Snakes: occasional. (various centres. areas. Lizards: rare. species)

12 13 What if I don’t want snakes in Step 2. Think about why the snake my garden? was in your garden: Step 1. Try to identify the species a) If your garden backs on to a you have seen. nature reserve, railway embankment, Many people who find a snake in their or other good snake habitat, there’s garden think they have seen an adder, little point in trying to remove snakes al England but over 95 per cent of adder reports or prevent them from entering your from gardens turn out to be grass garden. In these cases, snakes are snakes or slow-worms. This is not likely to be regular garden visitors surprising because we often get only and it’s better to learn to live with fleeting glimpses of snakes. Adders are them (see page 10). However, if you only likely to occur in your garden if have a serious snakes phobia, or are you live close to their preferred habitats concerned about adders, you could (see the chart on pages 12-13). In most try to snake-proof your garden (see of England, it is very unusual to find page 16). adders in gardens. If the snake you’ve seen is an escaped pet, it should be removed for re-homing. b) If you live in an area where Call the RSPCA on 0870 33 35 999. there are many good reptile habitat nearby (areas of heathland, for example) then snakes may Reptiles are attracted to gardens with sunny areas, plenty of vegetation cover, and places to take occasionally visit your garden. shelter. Paul Sterry/Nature Photographers Ltd In these cases, it’s likely that the snake is just passing through and will quickly move on of its own accord.

c) In some cases, you might live in an area surrounded by good snake habitat, but your home is separated from this by areas of poor habitat (such as roads and built-up areas etc). If this is the case, a visiting snake may become disoriented and be unable to get back to its normal habitat. If this happens, it may be best to find someone to remove the snake. A reptile conservation group or the RSPCA should be able to

advise you (see contacts page 22). or neglected. Jim Foster/Natur species, but huge areas have been lost, fragmented Lowland heathland is home to all our reptile 14 15 • Putting a wall or close-fitting fence How can I go about removing a snake For example, it would be unusual for a around a pond can help to reduce from my garden? grass snake to eat more than ten adult snake access, but this will cause This is not normally recommended, amphibians in a year. If you notice problems for other wildlife. Filling but it can be advisable to remove that the number of frogs in your garden in your pond is a drastic solution disorientated, injured or trapped is declining, it’s likely to be part of a that is only likely to dissuade grass snakes, or where there is a genuine natural fluctuation, the result of snakes. danger of an adder bite. disease, habitat changes or even predation by other creatures, such • Fill in any holes or crevices where The Contacts section on page 22 lists as fish. reptiles can hide, for example organisations that may be able to How can I stop grass snakes eating my under the shed, patios or walls. recommend local reptile experts. You goldfish? Fill in holes only when they are should not handle snakes and lizards Grass snakes sometimes enter gardens unoccupied. yourself as you may harm them. to catch amphibians, and only The RSPCA (tel: 0870 33 35 999) may be occasionally eat goldfish. When they You may also need to ask neighbours able to help with trapped or injured do it’s only in very small numbers. If to take similar action. Experience snakes. Native snakes should be you’ve noticed a sudden, substantial Rockeries, log piles, and debris are attractive to shows that the above steps can result removed to the nearest suitable habitat. reptiles. Jurgen & Christine Sohns/FLPA loss of fish in your pond, it’s much in a major reduction in snake visits. more likely to be the work of herons or Can I ‘snake-proof’ my garden? How can I stop snakes harming However, it is very difficult to entirely cats. To reduce snake predation, follow other wildlife? The following will make a garden prevent snakes or lizards entering the guidance on snake-proofing your Snakes are an important part of the much less attractive to reptiles: your garden. A more thorough garden (see page 16). solution is to erect a special fence food web, and they will sometimes • Mow your grass regularly to keep around your garden. It should be at enter gardens to find prey. Snakes take it short. least 60 cm (2 ft) high, dug into the very few prey items and will not Encouraging reptiles ground, and carefully sealed to leave endanger prey populations in doing so. • Remove shrubs and other low- no gaps. You can do this by attaching Grass snakes often feed on frogs, so in your garden growing plants that provide hard-wearing, UV-resistant plastic discouraging amphibians may make your cover at ground level. sheeting (from a builders’ merchant) garden less atractive to snakes. However, think With a little planning, gardens can be to an existing fence. Alternatively, a carefully before acting, as frogs and snakes made into valuable reptile refuges both need our help. Jim Foster/Natural England • Remove features that provide free-standing fence can be that help compensate for habitats reptiles with hiding places, such constructed by using stakes to lost in the countryside. as rockeries, debris, woodpiles, support the sheeting. A low brick and boards. If you need a wood wall can also be effective. How can I attract reptiles to pile, raise it above the ground by my garden? 30 cm (1 ft), by placing it on a rack. Important note: the steps described Leave areas of your garden to grow above will severely reduce the overall wild, but also retain some shorter • Remove compost heaps and piles value of your garden for other areas of vegetation that will allow of grass cuttings, or put them in wildlife. Deciding on a sensible reptiles to bask in the sun. Construct sealed bins. balance is up to you. log piles in sunny spots, and reduce 16 17 mesh netting. If you have to use Reptile biology netting, try to use rigid netting material with a mesh size of at least 4 cm (1 How long do reptiles live? in). Before mowing the lawn, walk the Many reptiles die within the first year of area to be cut so that reptiles are life, through predation or during dispersed into sheltered areas. Keep a hibernation. If they survive to reach special look-out for snakes in areas of sexual maturity (generally after three to long grass. Cutting grass on cold days five years) a good proportion may live Derelict urban areas often become excellent reptile habitats. Unfortunately, many of these reduces the chances of killing reptiles. to around ten years. A smaller number ‘brownfield’ sites are now targeted for development. Jim Foster/Natural England will exceed this. The individuals of some species, such as adders and the height of shading trees, hedges Use these tips to encourage them: Should I introduce reptiles to smooth snakes, can live up to 18 years. or fences. Ensure there is free entry • Make the heap as big as possible. my garden? at ground level around the edge of If you create good garden habitats Are reptiles cold-blooded? the garden, for example, by • Put it in a sunny spot, but close to and reptiles occur in nearby wild It is more correct to say they have a hedge or ground cover. habitats, they will probably colonise creating gaps under fencing. variable body temperatures. Snakes and your garden naturally. Bringing reptiles Create rockeries, or banks with lizards cannot generate their own body • Replenish the heap with compost, into your garden is not advised as plenty of crevices in south-facing heat internally, and so depend on kitchen waste, grass cuttings, they may become disorientated, and areas close to clumps of dense external sources. This means basking in manure, dead leaves or sawdust. the habitats in your garden may not vegetation. Maintain a heap of the sun, or being in contact with warm be good enough to support them. grass cuttings or a compost heap. surfaces or warm air. The cooler they • Ensure there is easy access for Remember that it is against the law Dig a pond to encourage are, the less active they become. the snakes – do not seal the to disturb smooth snakes and sand amphibians – an important prey for Reptiles select the right place to warm heap completely. lizards or their habitats and they grass snakes – and leave some up or cool down – a process called should never be interfered with. . A hibernating lizard overgrown areas near the pond that • Do not turn the heap between would have a very low temperature in will allow snakes to approach in mid-June and late September, Reptiles need special places to hibernate, winter, but one basking on a sunny safety. Leaving out wooden boards, as eggs may be inside. often in crevices on south facing slopes. August day would be warm. . roofing felt or corrugated iron Gardens rarely provide these conditions. sheets will help you find out if Jim Foster/Natural England How can I avoid injuring reptiles reptiles are using the garden; in my garden? reptiles will either bask on top of Cats often kill or injure wildlife, so it is When and where are reptiles active? them or use them as shelter. best not to have one if you want to Reptiles generally emerge from encourage reptiles. Bells on collars hibernation in March, and are active Will grass snakes breed in will not help much as lizards do not my garden? have good hearing and snakes cannot Grass snakes lay their eggs in hear airborne sounds at all. Netting warm, moist areas to help should not be placed over ponds or incubation. Studies show that vegetable plots as snakes often die they will readily use garden compost after getting caught in flexible, narrow- and heaps ofgrass cuttings. 18 19 Reptiles generally emerge from birth or hatching from July to September. hibernation in March, and are active The exact timing of reproduction varies until October; some may be active between species and depends a great earlier – or later – if weather permits. deal on weather conditions. Snakes can travel long distances, and grass snakes have been tracked on How many young do they have? journeys of over 4 km (2 miles). Typical numbers per female are: Lizards seem to move much less, often Common lizard 4–10. occupying very restricted areas. Slow-worm 6–12. Sand lizard 6–14 (eggs). How do reptiles reproduce? Grass snake 10–40 (eggs). Only sand lizards and grass snakes lay Adder 6–20. eggs. They do so in June and late-June to Smooth snake 4–15. July respectively. The other reptile species give birth to live young; in some Which predators feed on reptiles? cases inside a transparent membrane. Natural predators include other reptiles, Mating occurs from April to June, and crows, magpies, buzzards, kestrels, , badgers and hedgehogs. Cats will also prey on reptiles, and pheasants eat young snakes.

What do reptiles eat? Lizards feed on a range of invertebrates, including insects, spiders and molluscs. Grass snakes feed largely on amphibians, while adders and smooth snakes prefer lizards and small mammals. Fish and young birds are Newts are often mistaken for lizards. sometimes taken by snakes. Common lizards like the one above have scaly, shiny skin, five toes and a rounded tail. Nicholas Brown/Nature Photographers Ltd

Newts like the (right) have velvety skin, four toes on front feet, and a vertically flattened tail.

Adders rarely visit gardens unless you live nextdoor to good reptile habitat, such as heathland. Jim Foster/Natural England to good reptile habitat, such as heathland. Jim Foster/Natural visit gardens unless you live nextdoor Adders rarely Jim Foster/Natural England 20 21 Contacts Further information

Natural England This is one of a range of wildlife ardeningg 1 East Parade booklets published by Natural England. Sheffield, S1 2ET For more details, contact the Natural Enquiry Service: 0845 600 3078 England Enquiry Service on 0845 600 3078 [email protected] or e-mail [email protected] www.naturalengland.org.uk Natural England also produces The Herpetological Gardening with wildlife in mind, an illustrated wildlife reference. Conservation Trust 655a Christchurch Road, Originally on CD but now also available Boscombe online, Gardening with wildlife in mind Bournemouth has detailed information on 800 plants Dorset, BH1 4AP and species often found in our Tel: 01202 391319 gardens, and shows how they are www.herpconstrust.org.uk. ecologically linked. See www.plantpress.com The British Herpetological Society 11 Stathmore Place Montrose Other titles Angus, DD10 8LQ www.thebhs.org T. Beebee and R. Griffiths. Amphibians and reptiles: A natural history of the and Reptile Groups British herpetofauna. HarperCollins of the UK (ARG-UK) (The New Naturalist series). 2000. www.arg-uk.org.uk (A network of wildlife volunteer P. Roberts, Froglife & D. Ovenden. groups which aim to protect and Guide to the reptiles and amphibians conserve the native amphibians of Britain and Ireland. The Field and reptiles found in the UK.) Studies Council. 1999. This pregnant female common lizard has lost her tail, but it will regrow. Jim Foster/Natural England P. Roberts, Froglife & D. Ovenden. T. Langton. Froglife Amphibians in your garden: your Guide to the reptiles and amphibians Snakes and lizards. 9 Swan Court questions answered. of Britain and Ireland. The Field Whittet Books. 1989. Cygnet Park Natural England. 2007. Studies Council. 1999. Hampton P. Edgar et al. Reptile habitat Peterborough, PE7 8GX P. Stafford. P. Stafford. management handbook. The Tel: 01733 558960 The adder. Lizards of the British Isles. Shire Herpetological Conservation www.froglife.org. Shire Publications. 1987 Publications. 1989. Trust. 2007. 22 23 Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings. www.naturalengland.org.uk

© Natural England 2007

ISBN 978-1-84754-008-9

Catalogue code NE15

Written by Jim Foster. Designed by statusdesign.co.uk

Front cover image: The grass snake is the most commonly seen snake in English gardens. Jim Foster/Natural England