Reptiles are scaled animals that live on land. They start life as eggs which are either laid in safe areas and hatch out, or are incubated inside the body with adults giving birth to live young. Reptiles are secretive, fast moving animals that can be incredibly hard to spot – they prefer quiet and secluded areas but may be seen basking in the sun on paths, rocks and logs. Both snakes and lizards are reptiles, and there are a number of species you might be lucky enough to see in the UK.
UK Reptiles
Common and garden species – The animals you are most likely to spot in your garden or local park:
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Rarer species – The harder to find animals you can spot on nature reserves and some special sites around the UK
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Sand Lizard |
Non-native species – You might spot some of these exotic animals across the UK where they have been introduced or accidentally released into the wild:
You can also find information on all of these animals on our free Dragon Finder app where you can use the app to record your sightings of reptiles around the UK. This information helps us to map where the animals can be found and guides conservation action to help protect our wildlife. Find out more about the app here.