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Green Lizard
(Syrmaticus reevesii) Dorset, 2006

Green Lizard
(Lacerta viridis )
Dorset, 2006

Wall Lizard
(Podarcis muralis)
Dorset, 2006

Wall Lizard
(Podarcis muralis)
Dorset, 2006

Marsh Frog
(Pelophylax ridibundus)
Essex, 2006

Aesculapian Snake
(Elaphe longissima) Conwy, 2007

Aesculapian Snake
(Elaphe longissima) Conwy, 2007

Aesculapian Snake
(Elaphe longissima) Conwy, 2007


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British Isles Exotic and Introduced Amphibians and Reptiles

Green Lizard - Lacerta viridis

Although native to the Channel islands, this species has been introduced to the mainland its only self supporting colony is in Bournmouth.

Wall Lizard - Podarcis muralis

This species is also native to the channel islands, but its presence on the mainland is much more widespread. Colonies exist in Ventnor, Bournmouth, Shoreham on Sea, Ludlow and Haywards Heath. Portland and Purbeck have several colonies each.

There is and italian subspecies which is green backed found in Ventnor and Bournmouth, the nominate form which is brown backed are found on Portland.

Aesculapian Snake - Elaphe longissima

Present only in an around the grounds of the Welsh mountain zoo, Colwyn Bay, from where it escaped. This as the story goes happened in the 1960's where one gravid female escaped and the population has all come from this one source. The population is well over 100 individuals and they are found upto 0.5 miles from the zoo. Another smaller population is established at London zoo.

Marsh Frog - Pelophylax ridibundus

Escaped from garden in Kent and colonised Romney Marsh, it has spread north and west into Sussex, London, Essex and Norfolk. From a few individuals in the 1930's it now has a considerable population.

Edible Frog - Pelophylax kl. esculentus

This frog was first introduced to the UK in the 1830's and at various times since. It is present in Surrey, Essex and Middlesex and is slowly spreading but is very much an aquatic species.

North American Bullfrog - Lithobates cafesbeianus

Originally imported as pets, releases led to breeding in the Kent / Sussex border region, this colony has been removed and the few others that exist are being controlled.
This species is a menace and needs to be reported to the local Amphibian and reptile group.

African Clawed Toad - Xenopus laevis

Used in research, escaped and deliberate releases led to several colonies notably in the Isle of Wight and South Wales, where the only major colony still persists.

Alpine Newt - Triturus alpestris

Deliberatly released it has formed small but stable colonies in several parts of the country notably Shropshire and Surrey.

Italian Crested Newt - Triturus carnifex

Again deliberatly released into several areas colonies in Surrey and Birmingham persist.

Marbled newt - Triturus marmoratus

Deliberatly released it has formed very small colonies in several parts of the country

Midwife Toad - Alytes cisternasii

The Midwife Toad was originally introduced into Bedfordshire in the early 1900's, it has persisted and spread. Other populations also exist in other parts of the country.

European Pond Terrapin - Emys orbicularis

Released pets have formed this population, it is not certain if they are breeding but numbers are stable possibly due to continued introductions and longevity of individuals. They can be found in the south of England mainly in slow flowing rivers.

The Norfolk broads holds a small population.

Red Eared Terrapin - Trachemys scripta

Released pets have formed this population, it is not certain if they are breeding but recent finds of eggs combined with the recent warmer climate make this a matter only of time. Current numbers are stable possibly due to continued introductions and longevity of individuals.

They can be found in the south of England particularly in parks and gardens.

European Tree Frog - Hyla arborea

Small populations existed in Dorset and the Isle of Wight, two larger populations persisted until recently in London and the New Forest where a small population still survives.

Yellow Bellied Toad - Bombina variegata

Several small populations have existed and may still do in London and Devon.



Aesculapian Snake
(Elaphe longissima) Conwy, 2007

Bullfrog
(Macropus rufogrieseus) 2006

Bullfrog
(Lithobates cafesbeianus)
2008

Midwife Toad
(Alytes cisternasii) Beds, 2008

Midwife Toad
(Alytes cisternasii) Beds, 2008

Midwife Toad
(Alytes cisternasii) Beds, 2008

Midwife Toad
(Alytes cisternasii) Beds, 2008

European Pond Terrapin
(Emys orbicularis) Norfolk, 2006

Red Eared Terrapin
(Trachemys scripta) Herts, 2006

Edible Frog
(Pelophylax kl. esculentus) London, 2009
 
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