The Nature Blog

 
photo credit: anabis

Britain is home to an amazing six species of native reptile which for a climate like ours never ceases to amaze me. Note that one can also see the Green Lizard (Lacerta viridis) on the isle of Jersey though it appears to be absent from the rest of the UK.

The general list of British reptiles is:

- The Common (or Viviparous) Lizard (Lacerta vivipara)
- The Sand Lizard (Lacerta agilis) – now very scarce
- The Slow Worm (Anguis fragilis)
- The Grass Snake (Natrix natrix)
- The Adder (or Viper) (Vipera berus)
- The Smooth Snake (Coronella austriaca) – also sadly very rarely seen these days

Continue Reading

photo credit: Minette Layne

Most authorities agree there are six species of amphibian in the UK at present, though tiny populations of some other amphibians have been found over the years (such as the Marsh Frog). Some discussion still exists as to whether these are rare natives or introduced animals which have been released by exotic pet keepers.

The general list of British amphibians is:

- Common Frog (Rana temporaria)
- The Common Toad (Bufo bufo)
- The Natterjack Toad (Bufo calamita) – very scarce and so rarely seen
- The Common (or Smooth) Newt (Triturus vulgaris)
- The Palmate Newt (Triturus helveticus)
- The Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus)

Continue Reading