{"id":385,"date":"2023-01-26T22:06:21","date_gmt":"2023-01-26T22:06:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/?page_id=385"},"modified":"2023-01-26T22:07:35","modified_gmt":"2023-01-26T22:07:35","slug":"reptiles-and-amphibians","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/?page_id=385","title":{"rendered":"Reptiles and Amphibians"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reptiles<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Holt Lowes is home to four species of reptile: Adder, Grass Snake, Common Lizard and Slow-worm. In order to see these you have to be looking for them:-<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Look very quietly &#8211; they are very sensitive to vibration<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Look at the right time of year &#8211; usually the early spring<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Look at the right time of day, as reptile activity is temperature dependent. They are &#8216;cold-blooded&#8217; and need to warm-up in a morning by basking in the sun. This is vital in February- April when they have come out of hibernation and are getting ready to court and mate. Mornings are therefore best <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Look in the right places &#8211; small clearings or edges of dense vegetation which are sheltered from a cold wind and facing the sun.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Adders<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Adders are relatively common on Holt Lowes but can be hard to see. They hibernate in the winter, but will emerge to bask in the sunshine from late January onwards. The prefer secluded spots that are close to cover, and will quickly move off if disturbed. They will bask in almost any weather, unless it is raining or there is a cold wind. By April they have become more active as the breeding season approaches. Over the summer rhey are much harder to find, as they are very alert and will move away quickly. In the autumn they bask again near to the hibernation spots before withdrawing underground for the winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"752\" src=\"https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Adders-2508-1024x752.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-111\" srcset=\"https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Adders-2508-1024x752.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Adders-2508-300x220.jpg 300w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Adders-2508-768x564.jpg 768w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Adders-2508-624x458.jpg 624w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Adders-2508.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Adders are poisonous, but rarely bite humans unless they are interferred with (usually bite victims have tried to pick them up!). The bite is not fatal, and it is best to stay calm, move as little as possible and seek medical help. The main risk to life is a severe alergic reaction. Adders will bite dogs if they get too close or attack them but again, keep calm, move the dog as little as possible and take the animal to the vets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Please note that Adders are protected by law and it is illegal to harm them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After emerging from hibernation the adders prepare to slough their skins. The new skins are more brightly coloured and it is easy to distinguish males &#8211; bluey grey and females (larger,olive green, with a distinctly narrowed tail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"910\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"388\" src=\"https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Adder-female-4150044-910x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-388\" srcset=\"https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Adder-female-4150044-910x1024.jpg 910w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Adder-female-4150044-267x300.jpg 267w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Adder-female-4150044-768x864.jpg 768w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Adder-female-4150044-624x702.jpg 624w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Adder-female-4150044.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 910px) 100vw, 910px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Female Adder<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"910\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"390\" src=\"https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Adder-female-4150395-910x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-390\" srcset=\"https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Adder-female-4150395-910x1024.jpg 910w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Adder-female-4150395-267x300.jpg 267w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Adder-female-4150395-768x864.jpg 768w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Adder-female-4150395-624x702.jpg 624w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Adder-female-4150395.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 910px) 100vw, 910px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Female tail<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"910\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"389\" src=\"https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Adder-male-4150109-910x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-389\" srcset=\"https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Adder-male-4150109-910x1024.jpg 910w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Adder-male-4150109-267x300.jpg 267w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Adder-male-4150109-768x864.jpg 768w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Adder-male-4150109-624x702.jpg 624w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Adder-male-4150109.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 910px) 100vw, 910px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Male Adder<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The following sequence shows courtship and mating in adders, which takes place around the first week in April. Females tend  to be on their own to bask after hibernation whereas males tend to be in a group &#8211; sometimes up to 15! So males have to search for the females<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>a male adder (silver grey background) searching for a female (olive green\/brown background with a very narroed tail<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>he begins courtship with jerky movements of his body and tongue flicking<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a rival male appears and they compete with each other in the famous adder dance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the winning male comes back to the female and eventually they start to mate. They are locked together by the spines on his penis. The union lasts for about 40 minutes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Adder courtship and mating\" width=\"625\" height=\"469\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_9wqDESLkJs?list=PL8E0BF9FE1FE4486C\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Adder females retain the embryos inside their bodies and give birth to live young during the summer<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Grass Snake<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Grass Snakes are becoming increasingly common on the Lowes and can often be seen basking alongside adders as you can see here in the video<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Adders and Grass Snake basking together\" width=\"625\" height=\"352\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5m8L8UPLveg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Grass snakes are a pale green and they do not have the black zigzag marking all down their back like adders do, They are just as much a predator as the adder is but they are not poisonous. They are more attracted to wetter areas and swim well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlike adders they lay eggs which need warmth to hatch. Grass Snakes usually lay their eggs in piles of rotting vegetation using the heat from the decomposition process.  The Lowes has several such piles of vegetation. Every year the milled gorse and birch waste from conservation practices is added to previously established piles. Not only do the snakes lay their eggs in these they also use them as safe warm places for hibernation! This conservation technique probably accounts for the successful increase in Grass snakes on the Lowes. Last year 46 sloughed skins were found by one vegetation pile!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Grass-Snake-4150321-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-393\" srcset=\"https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Grass-Snake-4150321-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Grass-Snake-4150321-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Grass-Snake-4150321-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Grass-Snake-4150321-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Grass-Snake-4150321-624x351.jpg 624w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Grass-Snake-4150321.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Grass Snake<br><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Common Lizard<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Common Lizards are declining on the Lowes. However they are not easy to find. Careful and silent searching is required along say the edge of a clearing orin the vegetation alongside a track. The lizards, just like the snakes have regular basking spots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"959\" height=\"719\" src=\"https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Common-Lizard-0005389.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-395\" srcset=\"https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Common-Lizard-0005389.jpg 959w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Common-Lizard-0005389-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Common-Lizard-0005389-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Common-Lizard-0005389-624x468.jpg 624w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 959px) 100vw, 959px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Common lizard<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Common lizards are ovoviviperous ie they don&#8217;t lay eggs but retain them in the females body to hatch and the young are born live<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here is a lizard basking and moving through the gorse. Notice it has a large tick on it, probably a deer tick. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Common Lizard\" width=\"625\" height=\"352\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/w0htFv83n4g?list=PLTFHZ8i29oh2_FIWTbsQSHmGTPa3084-E\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Slow-worm<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Slow worms may look like snakes but they are really legless lizards! Like lizards they can shed their tails if caught as an escape mechanism. They also can blink. Snakes don\u2019t have eyelids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They hibernate below ground or under some protection emerging in March. Like all reptiles they have to gain body heat to be active, and that activity increases in May when it is the mating season. Males fight for several hours and it is probably about this time that you are more likely to spot them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"959\" height=\"719\" data-id=\"397\" src=\"https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Slow-worm-0000202.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-397\" srcset=\"https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Slow-worm-0000202.jpg 959w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Slow-worm-0000202-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Slow-worm-0000202-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Slow-worm-0000202-624x468.jpg 624w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 959px) 100vw, 959px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"250\" data-id=\"398\" src=\"https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Slow-worm-2066-Lowes-web.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-398\" srcset=\"https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Slow-worm-2066-Lowes-web.jpg 500w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Slow-worm-2066-Lowes-web-300x150.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Slow worm\" width=\"625\" height=\"469\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ur3XJZ4rSeg?list=PLTFHZ8i29oh2_FIWTbsQSHmGTPa3084-E\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Amphibians<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Newts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Three species of newt have been recorded on the Lowes, but Smooth Newt is by far the commonest. In the spring males develop a conspicuous crest along their back and a bright orange belly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Great Crested Newts also occur, but seem to be scarce, while Palmate Newt has been recorded very rarely.<\/p>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"806\" src=\"https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Smooth-Newt-1799-1024x806.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-115 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Smooth-Newt-1799-1024x806.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Smooth-Newt-1799-300x236.jpg 300w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Smooth-Newt-1799-768x604.jpg 768w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Smooth-Newt-1799-624x491.jpg 624w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Smooth-Newt-1799.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frogs and Toads<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"685\" src=\"https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Frogs-2361-1024x685.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-118 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Frogs-2361-1024x685.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Frogs-2361-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Frogs-2361-768x514.jpg 768w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Frogs-2361-624x418.jpg 624w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Frogs-2361-272x182.jpg 272w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Frogs-2361.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p><strong>Common Frogs<\/strong> and Toads both occur on the Lowes, and there is sometimes frogspawn in Soldiers\u2019 Pond in the early spring.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p><strong>Common Toad<\/strong> &#8211; it is easy to tell the difference between frogs and toads &#8211; the warty skin is the giveaway. Compare the shiny, smooth skins of the frogs above<\/p>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"910\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Common-Toad-ZC160-910x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-402 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Common-Toad-ZC160-910x1024.jpg 910w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Common-Toad-ZC160-267x300.jpg 267w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Common-Toad-ZC160-768x864.jpg 768w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Common-Toad-ZC160-624x702.jpg 624w, https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Common-Toad-ZC160.jpg 959w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 910px) 100vw, 910px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Reptiles Holt Lowes is home to four species of reptile: Adder, Grass Snake, Common Lizard and Slow-worm. In order to see these you have to be looking for them:- Adders Adders are relatively common on Holt Lowes but can be hard to see. They hibernate in the winter, but will emerge to bask in the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-385","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/385","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=385"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/385\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":404,"href":"https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/385\/revisions\/404"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/holtlowes.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=385"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}