Reptile Surveys

Why are reptile surveys required?

There are six native reptile species in the UK and they are all fully protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000). If reptiles are likely to be impacted by a development, a reptile survey will be required.

What happens during a reptile survey?

There are six native reptile species in the UK and they are all fully protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as amended by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.

  • Adder

  • Common lizard

  • Grass snake

  • Slow worm

  • Smooth snake

  • Sand lizard

The smooth snake and sand lizard are also fully protected under Schedule 2 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010, making them both European Protected Species.

We conduct presence/likely absence surveys and population estimates using ‘artificial refuges’ such as corrugated metal sheets or felt roof mats that absorb heat and attract reptiles to hide underneath or bask on top.

Services are also provided for writing site-specific mitigation statements for development, erecting reptile barrier fencing and translocating reptiles.

Reptile Survey Schedule

Habitat suitability assessments can take place throughout the year but presence/absence and population surveys can only be done from mid-March through to mid-October with the optimum months being April to June and September.

View our full survey calendar below:

Explore our other services

Explore our other services, including protected species surveys, biodiversity net gain assessments and more.