REPTILES

The reptiles I have most often seen are slow-worms, snake-like lizards that tend to sunbath on the pathways and slither away when disturbed, occasionally shedding a tail in panic. I’ve also seen water snakes.

Turtles can also be seen occasionally, sunbathing on logs in the backwaters. The local species, the European pond turtle, is a semi aquatic species, laying its eggs on land in a specially constructed and covered nest. It can be recognised by slight yellow spotting in the head region. Some of the turtles you may see however have a distinctly stripy head and neck – these are exotic species, not belonging in this natural habitat, most probably people’s unwanted pets.

Some basic biology – short and simple!

Reptiles are vertebrates (with a skeleton similar to our own based on a vertebral column/spine, skull at one end, tail at the other, ribs and 4 limbs although, in the case of snakes, these are vestigial (‘useless’ remains of a feature lost during evolutionary change).

They are cold-blooded, that is, their body temperature varies with that of the environment. They are sluggish in cold weather and may need to ‘sunbathe’ for a while to enable them to reach a suitable temperature for activity.

Their skin is covered with dry scales. In the case of turtles, a shell composed of modified bones of the backbone and ribs protects the vital organs.

After mating, female reptiles lay soft leathery eggs that are placed in a safe place, sometimes protected (snakes), sometimes buried, and then left to incubate themselves (some turtles). In a few cases the eggs are retained within the female body until hatching, giving the impression of live birth (ovovivipareous). Some lizards are parthenogenic, they lay viable (living) eggs that need no fertilization by a male. In all cases however, once hatched, the young brood has to fend for itself without help from parents.

Most lizards have the ability, when attacked, to shed the end of their tails which then wriggle and writhe, distracting the attention of the predator and enabling the animal to escape. The tail re-grows within a few weeks.

Click on a thumbnail photo to go to full photo and description.

Swamp turtle

Date:

11 August 2011

This native turtle can be recognised by the yellow spots on the head.

Exotic turtle, non-native species.

Date:

09 May 2011

This turtle can be recognised as an ‘exotic’ species by the red and yellow stripes on the head. It was probably someone’s unwanted pet. These turtles thrive but there is a danger of them upsetting the ecological balance and maybe out-competing and pushing out the native turtles, or introducing diseases the native species aren’t resistant to.

Slow worm

Date:

24 March 2012

Contrary to appearances, this is not a snake but a lizard. Unlike snakes, it has eyelids and can close its eyes. The limbs are vestigial, present in a reduced form only, no longer visible or used. As do most lizards, they have the ability, when attacked, to shed the end of their tails which then wriggle and writhe, distracting the attention of the predator and enabling the animal to escape. The tail re-grows within a few weeks.

Water snake, grass snake

German – Ringelnatter

Latin name: Natrix natrix

Date:

11 August 2014

This is a non-venomous snake. It is often found near water and feeds almost exclusively on frogs and toads, occasionally fish. They are strong swimmers, may be found basking in the sun in the early morning as a means of raising body temperature after a cool night and spend the winter months underground where the temperature is stable and doesn’t reach freezing point.

Colouring grey or sometimes brown.

Distinctive markings: two white, cream or yellowish patches at back of head.