The UK's six reptiles and where to see them

Picture the scene. It’s a glorious warm, sunny morning. You are stood on heathland, surrounded by the intoxicating scent of flowering heather and broom. The scratchy sound of a Dartford Warbler calling to its hungry youngsters complements the agitated ‘chack chack’ of a nearby Stonechat.

You suddenly catch a movement from the corner of your eye… looking down, peering through the random patchy spaces between the low vegetation, something stirs. This is no skulking bird or skittering vole. It is a snake. You step slowly back and the reptile emerges slowly onto the sandy path edge, a famously-forked tongue dashing in and out as the reptile tastes the air. Its slender body is a soft grey colour, its upperparts dappled with indistinct, regular dark spots. This is a Smooth Snake, our rarest resident reptile.

Found only in the English counties of Dorset, Devon, Hampshire, Surrey and West Sussex this seriously threatened species is not just restricted in range but is also very shy and difficult to see. This rather small non-venomous snake is highly dependent on well-managed heathland.

Unlike the super-scarce Smooth Snake, Grass Snakes can be found across much of mainland England and Wales with small number occurring in southwest Scotland. These olive-green serpents also have dark spots on their upperparts along with a distinct black and yellow collar. This is our largest snake, with some females reaching over a metre in length.

Grass Snakes primarily feed on amphibians, along with fish and other small animals. They are excellent swimmers and can often be found in wetlands, as well as gardens and woodlands. Our only egg-laying snake, they raise their often-sizeable broods in piles of rotting vegetation and compost heaps.

The other native snake to be found in the UK is the Adder which can be found as far north as the top of mainland Scotland.

Although quite small this is the UK's only venomous snake species. Its venom is mainly used for subduing its prey and bites to humans are uncommon, but do be sure to keep a respectful distance! If you accidentially disturb this timid beauty and get bitten, you will need to seek medical treatment.

This animal generally keeps a low profile, you might spot one basking in the open in early to mid spring having just come out of winter hibernation. The males also perform elaborate wrestling ‘dances’ at this time to fend off rivals. It's rather variable in colour but always has a distinct black zigzag pattern on its upperparts and a striking red eye.

Although often mistaken for a snake the wildly inaccurately named Slow Worm is actually a legless lizard. Comparatively small, these delightful animals may be encountered on heathlands, moorlands, grassy woodland edges and they love compost heaps in gardens.

They have a rather patchy distribution but can be found in many parts of England, Wales and Scotland, though along with all species of snake are absent from Northern Ireland. They have a distinctive metallic bronze sheen to their skin with females sporting dark stripes along the body while mature males can also show lines of fine blue spots. Slow Worms feed on insects, slugs, spiders and other small invertebrates.

The UK is also home to two other indigenous lizard species and the Common Lizard is the most widespread and numerous of all our wild reptiles. It is the only native reptile to be found in Northern Ireland. Highly variable in colour, this small lizard may be found in a wide range of habitats including sea cliffs, moorlands, grasslands, woodlands, crags and around dry-stone walls. Like other lizards it can shed its still-wriggling tail to distract predators, while it makes its escape. It will regrow the tail, though this replacement is often shorter and somewhat stumpier. It is also known as the Viviparous Lizard – the word viviparous meaning that it gives birth to live young, having incubated the eggs inside the body! 

Barely commoner than the super-rare Smooth Snake, our final reptile is also a severely threatened species. Sand Lizards can only be found at a few heathland and coastal sand dune sites in England. Along with restoring and protecting the few remaining sites where Sand Lizards still occur, introductions have also taken place at several suitable locations in an effort to increase the overall UK population. Larger than the Common Lizard, this chunky reptile is generally brown in colour though the males adopt dazzling bright green face, flanks and legs in the breeding season. Unlike their commoner cousins, female Sand Lizards do lay eggs, which they bury in soft ground. The young  emerge as fully-formed, tiny versions of the adults in late summer and early autumn.     

If you decide to go in search of our wonderful reptiles this summer, please remember that they are protected by law and should not be disturbed in any way. Also, it is highly recommended to stick to footpaths and to keep dogs on leads at all times.

Here are some RSPB nature reserves where you may see reptiles: