Reptiles

Common lizard

The common lizard (Zootoca vivipara) is found in a range of habitats including woodland, marshes, moors, heathland, hedgerows and rubbish dumps. The common lizard ranges in colour from grey, brown or green on the back and can grow between 10cm and 16cm long. The common lizard’s diet consists of insects, spiders, snails and earthworms.

Grass snake

The grass snake (Natrix natrix) is a non-venomous species and is Britain’s largest reptile, reaching up to 1.9m in length. The grass snake is typically olive-green, brown or greyish in colour with an uneven row of black bars along its sides. The snake is an aquatic species and is usually closely associated with water. Its can be found in habitats with ponds, lakes, streams, marshes and ditches, but may also be found in woodland, rough grassland, wet heathland, gardens, parks and hedgerows.

Slow-worm

The slow-worm (Anguis fragilis) often mistaken for a snake is in fact a legless lizard! This species is the most commonly seen reptile in Britain. They can be found in a range of open habitats and tend to take refuge under stones, planks of wood or sheets of iron in the sun, rather then basking. They can be frequently found in gardens where food is abundant and compost heaps create warm conditions to hide in.

Slow worms, lizards and grass snakes have all been recorded in Plymouth and are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), making is an offence to kill, harm or injure them sell or trade them in any way.

There are no recent records of adders in Plymouth and the other two UK reptiles (sand lizard and smooth snake) are not found in Plymouth. All these species are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).

For more information on reptiles visit Natural England.