Amphibians and reptiles are vertebrate animals. The former have soft skins and breed in water; the latter have a protective layer of scales and lay eggs independent of water. Both groups hibernate during the winter months.
Adder Vipera berus Length to 60cm
Well-marked venomous snake. Found in coastal dunes, heath and grassland. ADULT is plump-bodied, typically reddish brown or creamy buff with dark zigzag dorsal marking and inverted ‘V’ on head. Eye has vertical red iris. STATUS Widespread but local on mainland coasts.
Slow-worm Anguis fragilis Length to 40cm
Legless lizard, found in coastal grassland and dunes. ADULT has slender, shiny body. Usually coppery brown overall. STATUS Widespread but local on mainland coasts, absent from far N and NE; introduced to a few islands.
Common Lizard Zootoca vivipara Length to 15cm
Our most widespread lizard. Found on coastal dunes and grassland heaths. ADULT is slender with angular, pointed snout. Typically brown with dorsal rows of dark spots, and parallel rows of dark and pale spots on flanks. Juvenile is often all dark. STATUS Widespread but local, on mainland coasts.
Wall Lizard Podarcis muralis Length to 17cm
Has a proportionately longer tail than Common Lizard (facing page). ADULT is usually brown with dark dorsal stripe, incomplete dark stripes on sides defining brown flanks, and variable dark and white marbling. STATUS Native to Jersey; introduced and locally established on S English coast, mainly Dorset.
Common Toad Bufo bufo Length to 9cm
Familiar toad, found in damp coastal habitats. ADULT is olive-brown to greenish buff; eye has red iris. STATUS Widespread but local on mainland coasts, except in the far N.
Natterjack Toad Epidalea calamita Length to 7cm
Unusual toad that burrows freely, and walks rather than hops. Favours dunes and stabilised saltmarshes with pools. ADULT has warty yellowish-brown skin and diagnostic yellow vertebral stripe. STATUS Local populations on coasts of Dorset, East Anglia and NW England.
Common Frog Rana temporaria Length to 10cm
Our commonest amphibian. Found in damp coastal habitats. ADULT has smooth skin, usually olive-yellow, marbled and blotched with brown. Eye has yellow iris, and note dark mask through eye. STATUS Widespread but local on mainland coasts and some islands.
Marsh Frog Pelophylax ridibundus Length to 13cm
Large frog, found in coastal marsh drainage ditches where water may be brackish. ADULT is strikingly green, sometimes with dark spots. Male has a loud croaking song, whoa-aa-aa-aa, when grey vocal sacs are visible. STATUS Introduced and locally established, mainly in SE England.