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Reptile Identification Guide

This photo-guide is intended to serve as a reference aid for NARRS surveyors participating in the NationalReptile Survey.

Common lizard – Zootoca (Lacerta) vivipara

Small slender lizards, typically 12-15cm long.

Males – back markings tend to be speckled

Orange underside in males

 

Can be green (all over)

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Females – back markings tend to form vertebral stripe

Juveniles – almost black when born, but become a bronzy brown colour over time.

Juvenile male (can see speckled markings) Juvenile female (can see vertebral stripe)

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 Grass snake – Natrix natrix

Very fast and alert snake, sometimes over 100cm but usually less. Usually dark green orgreyish-blue, with dark vertical bars along sides. Almost always a yellow ‘collar’ behind head.Round pupils. Darker or black individuals possible; collar varies white to red. Males and femaleslook similar, but females grow larger and males have relatively longer tails. Emits foul-smelling

anal secretion when captured. May feign death.

Eating a common toad. Sometimes feign death when captured.

Juveniles are miniature versions of adults. Empty egg shells found in manure heap.

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 Adder – Vipera berus

Instantly recogniseable from zigzag along the back. Stockier than grass snake. Up to 60cm orso. Venomous; keep a good distance and always take care when lifting tins.

Males – typically greyish or bluish, but can be beige or bronze; always with a BLACK zigzag.

Females – ginger, brown or buff; always with a BROWN zigzag.

Female Black (melanistic) adder Juveniles tend to be ginger

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