Rare Reptiles in Dorset

Description:

Dorset Heaths on the perimeter of Poole, boast all six species of reptiles found in the United Kingdom - Adders, Grass Snakes, Common Lizards, Slow Worms, Smooth Snakes and Sand Lizards. Smooth Snakes and Sand Lizards are very rare and are only found in this part of the world.

April is the best time to see Sand Lizards, when the males are getting ready to mate, turning a fabulous bejewelled green colour for just a few days. They're known as 'little dragons' but they aren't easy to find, relying on camouflage to avoid being eaten by predators.

These creatures love this habitat with its sandy heathland and warm climate, but they're very vulnerable because The Dorset Heath is becoming more fragmented due to forest fires and the intrusion of roads, which they can't travel across.