Conservation and management of Britain's reptiles based on their ecological and behavioural requirements: A progress report

Abstract

Britain's native reptile fauna consists of three lizard species and three snake species, some of which may be unique physiological races (evidence is so far based only on their Critical Minimum Temperatures). Three species ( Anguis fragilis, Lacerta vivipara, Vipera berus) are widely distributed although the populations are fragmented. The other three ( Coronella austriaca, Lacerta agilis, Natrix natrix) are more or less limited in distribution to southern England (although N. natrix does reach Latitude 56° N) and most of the populations are small, scattered and geographically isolated from each other. Pressures such as land development, collecting and habitat destruction by fire are great. The snake Coronella austriaca and the lizard Lacerta agilis are now rare and several colonies and/or habitats of these two species are destroyed each year. As the survival of Britain's rarer reptiles may depend on well managed nature reserves and on the relocation of endangered colonies it is imperative that much more basic herpetological research be completed during the next few years. Fundamental eco-physiological requirements (e.g. food, heat, water) and behavioural requirements (e.g. space) of these animals are being examined in order to maintain or develop optimum habitats on nature reserves and in the hope of establishing viable reptile colonies. One example of this procedure is discussed with particular reference to the construction of an island habitat for Lacerta agilis, and suggestions for future management are outlined.