Sand Lizards released in Dorset
08/09/2006 00:00:00About the Sand Lizard release programme
- To date there have been 62 sand lizard translocations (68% have been successful, 9.6% are ongoing, 16.1% either failed or have been severely affected due to habitat loss i.e. uncontrolled fires, 6.4% failed due to poor habitat choice of release area and 3.2% are currently unknown. Sand lizards hibernate during winter. They emerge from their burrows during late March and early April and soon mate. Males have emerald green flanks during the mating season. Eggs are laid in June and young emerge during late August and Early September.
Nick Moulton from Herpetological Conservation Trust said ‘The site habitat at Coombe has been well managed by the Dorset Wildlife Trust and the Weld Estate and is now ideal for the sand lizard to be returned to the site. This has every chance of success and will ensure that all six of the UK’s native terrestrial reptiles are present again on Coombe.’ The most threatened of Britain’s six reptile species, the sand lizard has suffered from massive loss of heathland habitat due to urban development and changes in land use. Listed on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, it is now benefiting from efforts to join up the remaining fragments of heath in Dorset. The Herpetological Conservation Trust and Natural England have been working with Marwell Zoo to breed these rare lizards in conditions as close as possible to their natural heath or dune habitats. The enclosures are outdoors, south facing and predator proof with some natural vegetation but most of the insect food is provided commercially. Eggs are collected and artificially incubated. Success rates are good, provided a suitable site can be found for release.
