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Oxfordshire has four species of native reptiles;
Native species the Sand Lizard, Lacerta agilis, and Smooth Snake, Coronella austriaca, are not found in Oxfordshire. Occasionally non-native species, such as escaped pet terrapins, may be found.
Relatively little is known about their distribution in Oxfordshire and the neighbouring counties. The Slow Worm and Grass Snake are the most widespread species in the county. The Common Lizard is encountered less frequently and the Adder is known to survive in only a handful of places.
Reptiles are often seen, however many casual records remain unconfirmed because all that is seen is a fleeting glimpse of an escaping tale. Others remain unconfirmed due to the popular misconception that any legless wriggling reptile must be an Adder. Unfortunately reptiles, especially snakes, have had a poor press in the past but their reputation is entirely undeserved.
(You should find these useful if you don't have an ID book.)
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Adder (70KB JPG) |
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Grass Snake (77KB JPG) |
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Common Lizard (60KB JPG) |
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Slow Worm (106KB JPG) |
In the spring and summer the reptiles you are most likely to encounter are either Slow Worms or Grass Snakes. The Slow Worm is a lizard with only vestigial legs that looks a bit snake like. The Grass Snake varies in colour from green to brown but usually has a prominent yellow collar. They are found in most habitats and areas of the county including, if you are lucky, your gardens. Grass Snakes are good swimmers and frogs are one of their favourite foods. They will hunt these both in and out of water.
Most people, however, never see even these relatively widespread species because they are shy and would rather run away than face up to any threat, real or otherwise. The other two reptiles are the Common Lizard, a typical lizard which when encountered is often sunning itself in warm dry places such as walls, bare ground or piles of dead grass. It too will usually run off rather than be caught - probably before it is even seen. If you are really lucky you might see an Adder, a species which still occurs in a few places and often where the Common Lizard also survives.
The Adder and Common Lizard seem to be even more sensitive to habitat loss and disturbance than the other species, the Grass Snake and Slow Worm. Refuges on land are important places for all reptiles and these are often shared with amphibians.
