REPTILES

All native species

Four reptile species are found in Cumbria: Common Lizard Lacerta vivipara, Slow-worm Anguis fragilis (a legless lizard), Grass Snake Natrix natrix and Adder Vipera berus. All are protected by UK legislation. The greatest threats to reptiles in Cumbria are from habitat loss and fragmentation due to unsympathetic management and development.

 

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Contents

• Legal and Conservation Status
• Habitat
• Ecology
• Distribution
• Conservation Issues
• Planning Considerations
• Enhancement Opportunities
• Further Information
• Contacts
• Current Action in Cumbria

Legal & Conservation status

• All are UK protected species
• All are UK Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Species and Species of Principal Importance in England
• Cumbria Biodiversity Action Plan species (from 2010)
  
  
  Cumbria’s native reptiles are protected under:
• Section 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), in respect of sections 9(1) as far as it relates to killing and injuring and in respect of section 9(5) (Schedule 5).
  
  It is an offence to:
• Intentionally or recklessly kill or injure a Common Lizard, Adder, Grass Snake or Slow-worm.
  (This summarizes the main points of the law.)
  
  

Habitat

Reptiles require habitat with good structural diversity providing basking areas, feeding opportunities and hibernation sites.

Being cold-blooded they need to be able to bask to raise their body temperature. The open, dry nature of heathlands, limestone and acid grasslands, and the rough grasslands of roadside verges and railway embankments often provide these basking areas, as well as plenty of cover and food. In the urban environment many previously developed land (brownfield) sites, particularly associated with the coastal strip in Cumbria, and allotments, can provide

suitable habitat for high densities of reptiles. The exception is the Grass Snake, which has more affinity with wetland habitats.

Adders are most often found on heathland

and lowland bogs.

 

Common Lizards have broad habitat requirements. They have been reported from brownfield sites, allotments, coastal sand dunes, sheltered woodland clearings, lowland mires, heathland, limestone pavement and open fellsides up to an altitude of 600m as well as rough grasslands of previously developed land and other man made habitats.

Grass Snakes are often associated with wetland areas and ponds, where they feed on frogs, but they range over large areas and can be found away from water in

open woodland and scrub as well as gardens.

 

Slow-worms are found throughout the county in open woods, lightly-managed grassland including gardens, churchyards, allotments, roadside verges, and post industrial land, up to an altitude of about 300m. The open, rock-strewn woodlands of some Lakeland valleys also provide suitable conditions. The highest densities of slow-worms can often be found in under-utilised allotments.

 

 

 

 

 

Cumbria Key Habitats that are particularly important the above species include:

• Heathland
  Bogs
  Calcareous Grassland
  Open Mosaic Habitats on Previously Developed Land
  Coastal Habitats above High Water
  Coastal and Floodplain Grazing Marsh
  Rock Habitats
  Semi-natural Woodlands
  Lakes, Ponds and Tarns
  

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Ecology

Depending on weather conditions, British reptiles are inactive from about mid-October to March hibernating below ground in disused mammal burrows, inside buried stonework, deep within grass tussocks or among tree roots. When they emerge in the spring they can often be seen basking in the open. Adders from a large area may hibernate together and therefore a few hibernation sites can be vital to the survival of a whole population.

Slow-worms and Common Lizards live mostly on invertebrates – insects, spiders and small slugs and snails. The two snakes hunt by stealth, preying on amphibians, small mammals and even their smaller reptilian cousins.

Reptiles lay eggs with leathery shells that do not dry out on land, and so do not require water in order to breed. However of the four species in Cumbria only the Grass Snake actually lays eggs, frequently in compost heaps. The other species are able to develop the eggs inside the body and give birth to live young. This is particularly useful for reptiles living in our cool, northern climate as the pregnant females are able to move into warm situations to promote the development of the young inside them.

Distribution

All reptiles are under-recorded. Common Lizards and Slow-worms are likely to occur on most lowland previously developed land sites and lightly-managed grassland. Adders occur at low density over much of Cumbria in natural or semi-natural habitats. Grass Snakes are probably confined to south Cumbria and the coastal strip.

Conservation Issues

Development and unsuitable land management have reduced the amount of habitat available for reptiles. Reptiles require habitat with good structural diversity providing basking areas, adequate feeding opportunities and hibernation sites. These features are often reduced through intensive mowing, over-grazing, burning (accidental or deliberate), intensive recreational use or simply scrub colonisation.

Fragmentation of populations can be caused by roads or urban development, as well as by more subtle features such as ploughed fields or expanses of short mown grass.
Persecution may still be a significant cause of decline for Adder, Grass Snake and Slow-worm; the Adder is the only

venomous snake but the other species may be erroneously

considered to be a danger to the public.

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Planning considerations

• Part IV of ODPM Circular 06/2005: Biodiversity and Geological Conservation sets out the wide range of legislative provisions for conservation of species protected by national and international law. It emphasizes the need for ecological surveys to establish the presence of protected species and for protection measures to be in place through conditions and/or planning obligations before planning permission is granted. It also advises that local authorities should consult Natural England before the planning decision is made
• Any proposed development that may affect reptiles would require a reptile survey.
• Surveys for reptiles and their use of habitat cannot be carried out adequately during the winter months. This may mean that decisions have to be delayed until after a suitable survey window.
• Any development that would impact upon reptiles and their habitat would require adequate protection and mitigation measures.
  
  

Enhancement Opportunities

• Creation of wildlife corridors through urban and semi-urban spaces could include open grassland habitat, sown with native species and with structural diversity, e.g. rock and wood refuge piles, built in for reptiles.
• Species-rich grasslands on previously developed land could be enhanced for reptiles to form core areas of reptile habitat.
• Creation of refuges/over-wintering sites to enhance existing sites.
  
  

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Further Information

Reptiles: Guidelines for developers, English Nature 2004
Reptiles in your garden: your questions answered, Natural England 2007
Dragons in your Garden, ARC 2009
Reptile information, The Wildlife Trusts
Herpetofauna Workers Manual
Reptile Survey, Froglife Advice Sheet 10

Reptile Mitigation Guidelines, Natural England (in preparation)

Contacts

Current Action in Cumbria

The Cumbria Amphibian and Reptile Group monitor reptile populations and seek to improve public understanding through events.