Land Reptiles

Reptiles prosper in warm countries where they can continually heat the bodies to keep themselves active. England is not the warmest country in the world, even the summer months some years can be cool and wet. Reptiles are cold-blooded and need lots of regular heat from the sun in order to be able to move and hunt for food.

The fact we have 6 native reptiles is quite remarkable, but they are all relatively small. In countries like England, which have limited periods of sunlight, reptiles do not heat up enough to consistently be on the move, therefore they have to rest for longer periods which include the deep rest of winter hibernation. All England’s reptiles hibernate because they can’t rely on a regular supply of food and this is why our reptiles tend to be small.

England has three native snakes which include the Grass Snake that grows up to 120 cm long, the Adder up to 66 cm in length and the Smooth Snake up to 70 cm. England also has three native lizards: the Sand Lizard which grows up to 20 cm, the Common Lizard up to 14 cm and the Slow-worm which is a legless lizard that grows up to 50 centimetres.