A ni m a ls
Discover our native
dragons
As one in five of the world’s reptile species face being wiped out, we team up with our friends at Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) to look at the UK’s most vulnerable snakes and lizards – and what we can all do to scale up efforts to save them.
T
hey’ve roamed the planet for hundreds of millions of years. But, sadly, nearly one in five of the world’s 10,000 species of reptiles are now threatened with extinction. Habitat loss and climate change are among the main factors contributing to the extinction risk for reptiles, with 332 species classed as ‘Critically Endangered’, meaning they have a high chance of becoming extinct in the near future. There is growing concern that even our widespread species in the UK are in decline. ARC, a national wildlife charity, manages over 80 nature reserves that cover some 2,000 hectares. These include a significant suite of lowland heathland sites that are home to all six native reptile species.
www.jimmysfarm.com
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It leads on recovery programmes, especially for more threatened species, including managing reintroduction and captive breeding programmes, direct engagement through site management and running national monitoring schemes. The trust actively engages with advocacy on legislation and policy in the UK and further afield, to see that amphibians and reptiles are being considered in funding mechanisms. It also supports and undertakes research and provides educational and training programmes to promote amphibian and reptile conservation. There are six species of reptile (three lizards and three snakes) that are native to the UK. While the common lizard and slow-worm are widespread across the UK, others are rare with a
much more restricted distribution. All are protected from harm by law. “We aim to improve the status of Britain’s snakes and lizards, and to help people to get involved in their conservation,” says Jim Foster, ARC Conservation Director. “It is hard to appreciate something you cannot see; once you appreciate something, it then becomes important to preserve it. That’s why at ARC we spend time helping people to see and learn about reptiles in their area. As snakes and lizards are tricky to spot, and are often associated with unfortunate misunderstandings, our work is vital.” We take a look at three of our most endangered reptile species, how ARC is trying to protect them, and how we can all do our little bit to help by simply exploring our gardens.
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