Reptiles basking in the spring sunshine at Green Farm

Our conservation team recently carried out reptile surveys at Green Farm in Surrey with the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) Trust. 

The team was delighted to see adders, slow worm and common lizards (or “vivs” short for their Latin name Zootoca vivipara) on a beautiful, warm sunny day. 

The survey shows the heathland habitats at the Farnham farm are suitable for the reptiles, which is really encouraging as we are about to embark on heathland reversion across the site. 

Helena Darragh, the CRT’s Head of Conservation, said: “It was wonderful to get out with the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust and see adders out and about as well as other reptiles. It was particularly good to see so many lizards in one area. 

“Lowland heathland is incredibly important for our native reptiles, such as adders and, the now very scarce, sand lizards.  

“Reptile numbers in the UK have diminished as they have become increasingly confined to fragmented heathland habitats. Green Farm is known to be home to adders, common lizards and slow worms, and by increasing areas of well-managed heathland, we hope to boost their numbers. It’s wonderful that we are already seeing so many.” 

Read more about our Green Farm vision here: https://www.thecrt.co.uk/vision-for-green-farm