Reptiles
There are six native species of reptile in the UK - three snake and three lizard species. But did you know that only two of these can be found in our parks in Milton Keynes?
The main factor that the other four species have in common is their preference for heathland habitats – something we simply don’t have in our city. Lowland heathlands are currently one of the rarest habitats in the world, meaning the species that depend on them are also facing uncertainty.
Here is a little more information about the reptiles you might be lucky enough to spot when enjoying our wonderful wild spaces in Milton Keynes.
The UK’s most common snake species, and a common sighting in Milton Keynes if you know where to look!
Grass snakes are predominantly grey-green in colour with black markings along their bodies. It has a distinctive yellow and black “collar” around the base of its head. Grass snakes are also the largest native snake in the UK, often growing more than a meter in length.
Grass snakes spend much of their time alongside and in the water, moving between areas and hunting for their prey. Their favourite foods include newts, frogs and toads, but they are also partial to small mammals, birds and fish.
Grass snakes are not constrictors and are non-venomous; they simply ambush their prey and swallow it alive. They are also sensitive to human activity and will often hide away if they hear, smell or feel anyone approaching.
On warm or overcast days, you will be most likely to find a grass snake basking in short grass, or on a sheltered rocky area, near a hedgerow, or swimming out in the open in our lakes and streams. Their young will also seek shelter in warm places such as compost heaps or under logs. In the winter they retreat to warm humid places to hibernate, including in tree root systems, woodchip piles and even rabbit warrens.
Common misconceptions: Grass snakes are often confused with their less common, but slightly more dangerous cousins, the adder. This species is grey and black with distinctive diamond shapes running along their spine. They also have no yellow collar by their head.
We have already mentioned in the introduction, that we simply don’t have the right habitat for adders in Milton Keynes, despite this, we still receive numerous claims each year of their sightings. Maybe one day they will return to this area. (image of an Adder in Sussex)
The slow worm is our only known lizard species in Milton Keynes. A common visitor to gardens and allotments across our city.
Slow worms are (surprisingly) neither slow nor worms. They are, in fact, a legless lizard. They are grey or brown in colour and have a glossy appearance, making them appear almost golden in some lights. They have slender body with a head that appears slightly narrower than the rest of their body. They tend to grow no more than 40-50cm in length.
If you’re a keen gardener, then slow worms might just be your new best friend. Their prey includes slugs, worms, snails and spiders, so you can think of them as a natural pesticide. If you do happen to have a compost heap, this might be where you’d be most likely to spot a slow worm, so please be careful when turning or spreading.
Slow worms, like many lizards, can shed their tails when distressed or captured by a predator. They will also do this if they are handled incorrectly by a human. Slow worms store their fat in their tails, so when it sheds, it can cause a large loss of their nutrition store. This is especially important closer to winter when they are saving up energy to get through hibernation. The slow worm will eventually regrow its tail, but it will likely not be the same as before. Therefore, much like with snakes, it is important that you do not handle a slow worm if you find one.
Common misconceptions: Slow worms are often confused with snakes, which is quite understandable! You might need to get closer to notice some of the more important differences. Slow worms have eyelids and can blink, unlike snakes. The scales of a slow worm are a lot shinier than our native snakes, and their neck doesn’t have a “pinch”, distinguishing the head from the rest of their body.
What can you do to help?
- Create a compost heap
- Build a log pile or hibernacula
- Avoid pesticides
- Stick to the paths in the parks so you don’t disturb them
- Following guidance about dogs at specific parks (for example, in some parks, we ask you to keep your dog on a lead to prevent disturbing ground-nesting wildlife).
- Finally, learn more and talk to others about reptiles in our city. There is a lot of stigma and scare-mongering surrounding these wonderful and relatively harmless creatures, which can affect how willing people are to help protect them. Better education and understanding can lead to more conservation success.
Learn more about the species which call our parks home, what we do to protect them and how you can support local wildlife.
Kestrels, Sparrowhawks, Peregrine falcons, Red kites, the Common buzzard and some owl species are regular visitors or residents of Milton Keynes.
