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Surrey Amphibian and Reptile Group (SARG)
Reptile Identification
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Reptile Identification for NARRS
Although most NARRS volunteers will have some knowledge of reptile identification, this presentation aims to cover all you need to know, even as a beginner. Focuses on the four widespread species most likely to be encountered. Unlikely to see rare species or non-native species, but possible in some parts of southern Britain.
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Species most likely to be encountered
Common lizard Slow worm Grass snake Adder
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Species less likely to be encountered
Smooth snake Sand lizard Red-eared terrapin Wall lizard Western green lizard
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Males: speckled back & orange belly
Common lizard Males: speckled back & orange belly
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Common lizard Males: speckled back
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Common lizard Males: speckled back
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Males: speckled back penial bulge
Common lizard Males: speckled back penial bulge
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Common lizard Females: striped back
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Common lizard Females: striped back
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Juveniles: initially almost black, soon become bronze
Common lizard Juveniles: initially almost black, soon become bronze
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Common lizard Juveniles
male (speckled) female (striped) Juveniles: start to develop adult markings
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Slow-worm Males: typically grey or brown, Uniform colour.
lack distinct stripes, may have blue spots
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Slow-worm Females: dark brown sides, may have vertebral stripe(s)
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Juveniles: dark sides and vertebral stripe
Slow-worm Juveniles: dark sides and vertebral stripe
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Juveniles: usually yellow/gold, but varies
Slow-worm Juveniles Juveniles: usually yellow/gold, but varies
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Fast and alert, slender, UK’s largest reptile
Grass snake Fast and alert, slender, UK’s largest reptile
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Green, grey or brown, usually yellow collar
Grass snake Green, grey or brown, usually yellow collar
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Round pupils, adder (inset) has slit pupils
Grass snake Round pupils, adder (inset) has slit pupils
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Grass snake Females: get bigger, Males: smaller, but but shorter tails
longer tails
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Eggs usually laid in manure/compost
Grass snake Eggs usually laid in manure/compost
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Grass snake Usually void foul-smelling liquid from anus of captured; sometimes feign death
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Adder Male: often grey Female: usually brown
BUT…..can be difficult to sex
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Males: can be bronze/beige but always BLACK zigzag
Adder Males: can be bronze/beige but always BLACK zigzag
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Females: always have BROWN zigzag, however dark
Adder Females: always have BROWN zigzag, however dark
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Females: can be ginger, with BROWN zigzag
Adder Females: can be ginger, with BROWN zigzag
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Black (melanistic) adders not uncommon
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Juveniles tend to be ginger or reddish
Adder Juveniles tend to be ginger or reddish
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Sand lizard Eyed markings (‘ocelli’) Males: broad head green sides in
breeding season Females: bold eyed markings Juveniles: tiny but distinct eyed markings
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Smooth snake Paired or barred markings Males orange underside
Readily strike/bite or do ‘adder head’
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Sloughed skins Scalation (head) Patterning
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European pond terrapin
Non-native species Green lizard Red-eared terrapin Wall lizard European pond terrapin Aesculapian snake
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Surrey Amphibian and Reptile Group (SARG)
Much more detailed information can be found at:
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