What our animals are doing this month… October 2019
October is truly the beginning of the end of the year for all of our native amphibians and reptiles. Although of course their timing depends upon location, altitude and average daily temperatures, those species that do not actually hibernate in the next few weeks will be moving toward and preparing to overwinter soon.
Adders return to their wintering sites from September but may bask until late October when they become dormant for the colder months. Although these snakes suffer from some negative perceptions, they are apparently ‘friendlier’ than often perceived, as adders have been observed to overwinter alongside slow-worms, common toads and common lizards.
Even though they will all be seeking hibernacula at a similar time, the type they need can differ from species to species. For example, while other species of amphibian may go dormant under a rock or the bottom of a pond overwinter, natterjack toads will often excavate their own burrows for a space to spend the winter. However, they have also been known to use the burrows of other animals such as voles, rabbits, and even sand martins.
For more information on our species, download our free Dragon Finder app here.
