Environmental Records Centre
for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

Amphibians and reptiles

Cornwall’s terrestrial reptile fauna consists of two snakes and three lizards. Turtles (particularly the leatherback) are also part of the area’s reptile fauna but it is best to deal with them through marine recording schemes. Our amphibian species comprise one frog, one toad and two newts.

The Common Frog Rana temporaria and slightly less ubiquitous Common Toad Bufo bufo will be instantly distinguishable by many people. Cornwall’s dominant newt is the Palmate Newt Triturus helveticus. Its close relative the Smooth (or Common) Newt T. vulgaris is the dominant newt in most of England but is a rarity here; its natural distribution seems to stop just this side of the Devon border, with historic records spaced along the border’s length, and introductions are known to have occurred elsewhere.

The Adder Vipera berus is particularly associated with heathlands and coastal grasslands. The Grass Snake Natrix natrix requires similar habitats but also needs adjacent wetlands in which to hunt its favoured amphibian prey; this species is much less frequently recorded and its situation gives much cause for concern. The Slow-worm Anguis fragilis (a legless lizard) and Common (or Viviparous) Lizard Lacerta vivipara are found in many open habitats; Slow-worms in gardens and Common Lizards in Cornish hedges are frequent associations.

Green Lizard Photograph taken by Malcolm Lee

Common Lizard Photograph taken by David Chapman

The rare Sand Lizard L. agilis, whose habitat in this area is dune grassland, was reintroduced to a secret location in north Cornwall in 1995. Many false records of this species are received because Common Lizards can display very similar colours and markings.

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