Reptile Survey for Planning in Surrey

Surrey is home to a rich variety of reptile species. In fact, all six species of reptile native to the UK can be found in Surrey. Four of these are relatively widespread species of reptile often encountered on development sites: the slow worm, common lizard, grass snake, and adder. The other two – the smooth snake and sand lizard – are rare reptiles in Surrey, confined to very specific habitats. Here’s an overview of these species and where they live:

• Slow Worm (Anguis fragilis): A slow worm is actually a legless lizard, not a snake. Slow worms are common in Surrey’s gardens, allotments, and countryside. They favor sheltered, grassy areas with plenty of cover. You might find them under logs, debris, or even old roofing material in compost heaps. Slow worms often live in mosaic habitats at the edge of woodlands or in scrubby grassland. They are widespread across Surrey, so even small green spaces on a development site could harbor a slow worm or two.

• Common Lizard (Zootoca vivipara): Also known as the viviparous lizard, this species enjoys open sunny spots with nearby cover. Heathland, rough grassland, and railway embankments are typical habitats. Common lizards are agile and can often be seen basking on south-facing banks, logs, or rocks on warm days. In Surrey, they thrive on heathland commons and even brownfield sites with rough grass and scrub. They give birth to live young (hence “viviparous”) and need warm microhabitats to regulate their body temperature.

• Grass Snake (Natrix helvetica): The grass snake is Britain’s longest snake, an elegant greenish serpent often found near water. They are excellent swimmers and frequently inhabit wetlands, ponds, and damp meadows – places with frogs and newts to prey on. In Surrey, grass snakes turn up in marshy areas, along rivers like the Wey and Mole, and even in large gardens (attracted by pond fish or compost heaps which generate heat for egg-laying). They prefer mosaic habitats: a mix of ponds, grass, and hedge cover. Grass snakes are non-venomous and quite shy, slipping away quickly when disturbed.

• Adder (Vipera berus): The adder is the UK’s only venomous snake. Adders favor heathland and woodland edges. Surrey’s heathery commons and open areas with heather, bracken, and rough grass provide ideal conditions. They like sunny clearings to bask and dense cover to hide. Adders hibernate communally over winter in burrows or under tree roots, emerging in spring. While present in Surrey, adders are declining and tend to be localised to the best remaining heathland patches (e.g. parts of west Surrey heathlands). They are cautious snakes and will avoid humans; bites are rare and usually only occur if an adder is stepped on or handled.

• Smooth Snake (Coronella austriaca): The smooth snake is a very rare species in Surrey. It is confined to a few sandy heathland sites. This snake has a brownish, slender body and is secretive, often hiding under heathland vegetation. Historically, smooth snakes were lost from many areas due to habitat loss, but Surrey retains a few populations in well-managed heathland nature reserves. Conservation efforts, including reintroductions, have helped them. Smooth snakes require mature heath with deep heather, gorse, and sandy soils. They often coexist with sand lizards, sharing the same habitat. On development sites, encountering a smooth snake is highly unlikely unless your project is right next to a known heathland reserve. Nonetheless, because they are present in the county (though rare), any site survey in suitable heath habitat must consider them. If found, special protocols and licences apply due to their European protected status, as noted earlier.

• Sand Lizard (Lacerta agilis): The sand lizard is another rare Surrey reptile, found only in a couple of isolated areas. Sand lizards need sandy soil habitats – heathland or coastal sand dunes – to survive. In Surrey, they were once extinct but have been reintroduced to certain heathland reserves in an effort to restore their population. These lizards are notable for the males’ bright green flanks in breeding season. They lay eggs in sand, which is unique among UK lizards (others give live birth). Sand lizards in Surrey are currently restricted to protected heathland sites and do not roam far. It’s very improbable to find a sand lizard on an unprotected development site unless it borders a heath where a reintroduction has occurred. However, given their presence in the county, we remain vigilant for them when surveying sites with sandy heath characteristics.

Overall, Surrey’s reptiles are mostly associated with heathlands, grasslands, and mosaics of scrub and rough ground. Suitable habitats on a site – such as unmanaged grassy areas, bramble thickets, sunny banks, or piles of wood and rubble – can all be potential homes for reptiles. Even a small parcel of land can support reptiles, as slow worms and common lizards often occur in surprisingly modest spaces (like brownfield corners or overgrown gardens). 

Our surveys focus on these habitat features to detect any reptiles. Understanding which species are likely given the habitat lets us target our efforts. For example, if your site is a wet meadow by a stream, we’ll be especially looking for grass snakes; if it’s a dry heathery patch, adders or even a smooth snake and sand lizard could be the targets. By knowing Surrey’s reptile fauna intimately, our team can anticipate what to look for and where, ensuring no creature is overlooked.