Reptiles and amphibians

This webpage gives some common, some less common and some rare examples of reptiles and amphibians species in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The reptiles and amphibians featured here are as follows:

Adder
Common Frog
Common Lizard
Common Toad
Grass Snake
Great Crested Newt
Palmate Newt
Slow Worm

Adder

The adder (Vipera berus), is the only British venomous snake. Its natural distribution is localised throughout England, Wales and Scotland on heathland. In the national Species and Habitats Review 2007, the adder was added to the UK list of priority species for biodiversity action. It is thought to be present in the Yorkshire Dales National Park on heathland but dedicated survey work has not been carried out by the National Park. However, areas where it has been formally recorded include Coverdale and the South East of the Park. The adder may be seen on heathland basking in a sheltered sunny place on a mild and sunny day after rain between March and the beginning of October.

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Common Frog

The common frog (Rana temporaria), is widespread in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, associated with ponds, lakes and other wetland habitats. It can most easily be seen at night with a hand torch from late spring to early autumn when they are at their most active and before they hibernate for the winter. They are particularly active at pond edges in February and March. The common frog has smooth, moist skin, it moves by short jumps and it has an angular head and body shape. Its colour varies and can include shades of yellow, orange, red, green and brown.

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Common Lizard

The common lizard (Zootoca vivipara), is thought to be widespread throughout the country, living in heathland and grassland habitats but its numbers are declining due to habitat loss. Consequently, in the national Species and Habitats Review 2007, the slow worm was added to the UK list of priority species for biodiversity action. In the Yorkshire Dales National Park this species is thought to be widespread but not common. Lizards are often the first of the reptiles out of hibernation in the Spring. They may be seen basking in sheltered, sunny places like footpaths on mild, sunny days after rain from early spring until the beginning of October. The colouration of common lizards is variable but mainly shades of green and brown with light and dark coloured spots lines or flecks.

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Common Toad

The common toad (Bufo bufo), is widespread in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, associated with deep ponds and lakes when breeding, but can be found in dryer habitats at other times. However, nationally the common toad populations are declining. Consequently, in the national Species and Habitats Review 2007, the common toad was added to the UK list of priority species for biodiversity action. This species can most easily be seen at night with a hand torch from late spring to early autumn when they are at their most active and before they hibernate for the winter. They are particularly active at pond edges in February and March. Areas where it has been formally recorded include Upper Wharfedale. The common toad has dry, bumpy skin, it moves by walking or hopping and it has a rounded head and body shape. Its colour is grey to reddish or dark brown and an off-white underside with dark flecks.

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Grass Snake

The grass snake (Natrix natrix), is the longest British snake (1m). It is widespread in England and Wales but its population is thought to be declining. It is absent from some parts of northern England, most of Scotland and Ireland. Consequently, in the national Species and Habitats Review 2007, the grass snake was added to the UK list of priority species for biodiversity action.It is present in the Yorkshire Dales National Park but is rarely seen. Areas where it has been formally recorded include the South-East of the Park. Grass snakes may be seen basking in sheltered sunny places on mild and sunny days after rain from March or April until the beginning of October. Look out for them in woodland glades or embankments not far from water.

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Great Crested Newt

The great crested newt (Triturus cristatus), is likely to be present in the Yorkshire Dales National Park but there has been very little survey work on this species and its distribution may be very limited due to a lack of suitable habitat. Nationally the great crested newt population has been declining due to habitat loss such as the filling in of ponds, as a result the species continues to be on the UK list of priority species for biodiversity action. The habitat of the great crested newt is now legally protected and it is an offence to capture or disturb the species. Therefore a license is needed for surveying work. The great crested newt is the largest of the British newts (170mm). They have dark, granular skin when on land which becomes paler and orangey-brown once in water. The breeding males are very distinctive with an iridescent stripe along the tail, a jagged crest along its back and a smoother crest along the top of the tail.

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Palmate Newt

The palmate newt (Triturus helveticus), is present in the Yorkshire Dales National Park but its distribution may be very limited due to a lack of suitable habitat. However, areas where it has been formally recorded include Swaledale and Ribblesdale. This medium-small newt (90mm) occurs at higher altitudes and on poorer soils than the great crested newt. The male palmate newt has several distinguishing features including dark webbing between the hind feet toes, a thread-like tail filament at the tail tip up to 7mm long and an unspotted throat.

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Slow Worm

The slow worm (Anguis fragilis), is a legless lizard and looks like a small, shiny, metallic-looking snake. This species is relatively common throughout England, Wales and Scotland favouring mature tussocky grasslands on sunny banks. However, their numbers are declining through habitat loss. Consequently, in the national Species and Habitats Review 2007, the slow worm was added to the UK list of priority species for biodiversity action.

In the Yorkshire Dales National Park this species it thought to be uncommon. Areas where it has been formally recorded include Wharfedale and Arkengarthdale.

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Websites:

Froglife (opens in new window)

Amphibian and Reptile Group of United Kingdom (opens in new window)

Other sources of information:

Roberts, P (2003) Reptiles and Amphibians of Britian and Ireland Field Studies Council. Fold-out chart available from the Field Studies Council or Tel: 01743 852140.