In the New Forest National Park, vast swathes of habitat are being prepared for the UK’s rarest reptiles. The Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust (ARC) is creating and restoring heathlands to promote the recovery of these species and improve the resilience of their habitats.
Around one third of Great Britain’s amphibian and reptile species are at risk of extinction. This includes the smooth snake, sand lizard and adder, which are our three most endangered reptiles.
“All three are facing several threats both nationally and locally, impacting the range and distribution of populations, and the habitats that support them,” says ARC project officer Eryn McDonald.
A key problem for the reptiles is the destruction and fragmentation of their habitat, specifically the scrubby, open heathlands where the creatures like to lie low.
The new project seeks to address this, by enhancing 250 hectares of Forest land – the equivalent of about 350 football pitches. To date, much of the focus has been on clearing overgrown gorse, to establish open spaces for the reptiles to forage, breed and bask.
Smooth snakes have smooth, flat scales and mottled grey-brown bodies. They are the UK’s rarest terrestrial reptile. In the breeding season, male sand lizards have flashy green faces, flanks and legs. Meanwhile the adder, which is easily identified by the dark zig-zag on its back, is the UK’s only venomous snake.
Sand lizards and smooth snakes are both European-protected species, whilst adders are classed as nationally vulnerable. The Forest is home to all of them, as well as the remaining native reptile species, which are the common lizard, slow worm and grass snake.
All six species will benefit from the restoration work. By giving the reptiles more space to live, the hope is that their populations will grow.
“It also helps link up the habitats from inside the Forest to the surrounding areas,” says McDonald, “creating a bigger, better, more joined up landscape.”
The New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) is leading the project alongside ARC and several other partners. The restoration work is part of the £1.3 million Species Survival Fund project, which is funded by the UK Government and delivered by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Main image: heathland in the New Forest National Park. Credit: Getty
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