Reptile Identification Guide
-
Upload
paveljanda3 -
Category
Documents
-
view
230 -
download
0
Transcript of Reptile Identification Guide
-
8/17/2019 Reptile Identification Guide
1/6
Reptile Identification Guide
This photo-guide is intended to serve as a reference aid for NARRS surveyors participating in the NationalReptile Survey.
Common lizard – Zootoca (Lacerta) vivipara
Small slender lizards, typically 12-15cm long.
Males – back markings tend to be speckled
Orange underside in males
Can be green (all over)
-
8/17/2019 Reptile Identification Guide
2/6
Females – back markings tend to form vertebral stripe
Juveniles – almost black when born, but become a bronzy brown colour over time.
Juvenile male (can see speckled markings) Juvenile female (can see vertebral stripe)
-
8/17/2019 Reptile Identification Guide
3/6
-
8/17/2019 Reptile Identification Guide
4/6
Grass snake – Natrix natrix
Very fast and alert snake, sometimes over 100cm but usually less. Usually dark green orgreyish-blue, with dark vertical bars along sides. Almost always a yellow ‘collar’ behind head.Round pupils. Darker or black individuals possible; collar varies white to red. Males and femaleslook similar, but females grow larger and males have relatively longer tails. Emits foul-smelling
anal secretion when captured. May feign death.
Eating a common toad. Sometimes feign death when captured.
Juveniles are miniature versions of adults. Empty egg shells found in manure heap.
-
8/17/2019 Reptile Identification Guide
5/6
Adder – Vipera berus
Instantly recogniseable from zigzag along the back. Stockier than grass snake. Up to 60cm orso. Venomous; keep a good distance and always take care when lifting tins.
Males – typically greyish or bluish, but can be beige or bronze; always with a BLACK zigzag.
Females – ginger, brown or buff; always with a BROWN zigzag.
Female Black (melanistic) adder Juveniles tend to be ginger
-
8/17/2019 Reptile Identification Guide
6/6