Reptile Surveys

A female Adder (Vipera berus) basking in early morning sunshine

There are six native species of reptile present in Britain, three snakes and three lizards. They are all legally protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act and are protected from intentional killing or injuring. Additionally two species, the Smooth Snake and the Sand Lizard have their habitat protected. Both Smooth Snake and Sand Lizard are also European Protected Species and receive additional protection under Schedule 2 of the Habitat Regulations 1994.

Surveys are seasonally restricted and are best undertaken during April, May or September, with visits restricted to certain times of day and certain air temperatures.

The Wildlife Survey Unit undertakes two types of reptile surveys, these are detailed below:

    A Grass Snake (Natrix natrix), one of our most striking native reptiles
  • Presence/absence survey: This is a seven-visit survey which identify whether reptiles are present and which species are involved

  • Population estimate survey: This is a detailed survey involving twenty visits and is suitable for Ecological Impact Assessment

All survey methods follow the recommendations found in Froglife Advice Sheet 10: Reptile Survey and the Herpetofauna Workers Manual.

For more information on reptiles and development please consult Natural England's IN151 - Reptiles: Guidelines for development.