A brave newt world: Amphibians need more than just ponds
Amphibians and reptiles, commonly referred to as herpetofauna or ‘herps’ by enthusiasts, are an often overlooked and misunderstood group of animals.
An adult male slow-worm found basking whilst on survey. Photo taken in situ by Matthew Hopes.
In some cultures, these cold-blooded creatures are worshiped, in others they are associated with evil, such as toads with witches or snakes with the devil. In reality, these animals are an amazing example of evolution and adaptability, with members within the group living in virtually every habitat, on all continents except Antarctica, some being powerful apex predators, while others are extremely important ecosystem engineers. Amphibians and reptiles are living examples of our ancient past and form an invaluable part of modern day natural ecosystems.
Many are surprised when they learn that the UK supports amphibians and reptiles with considerable variety and diversity. Our island is home to 7 native amphibians and 6 native reptiles, ranging from the widely known common frog (Rana temporaria) to the cryptic and secretive smooth snake (Coronella austriaca). Together, these species express a huge range of behaviors and ecologies, each taking advantage of different habitat types.
Common toad spotted sheltering under a reptile sheet during a reptile survey. Photo taken in situ by Matthew Hopes.
Amphibians: Just in ponds?
Amphibians are classically associated with freshwater ponds and wetlands due to their requirement on these environments for reproduction. All 7 native species lay eggs in the water as part of their life cycles, but their life in the pond is only one aspect of their annual struggle. During the course of the year, amphibians traverse a wide variety of habitats, making use of each for a correspondingly wide variety of reasons. Typically, the ideal habitats for these animals are close to bodies of water, especially for frogs and newts who require more humid habitats so that they can keep their skin moist in order to breathe effectively. Due to this, almost any habitat near a pond, from grasslands to woodlands, are used. This is especially true of the common frog, which is highly adaptable. Woodlands in particular can support large numbers of amphibians due to the floor often being humid and damp, with an abundance of invertebrate prey to sustain them. Woodlands also provide innumerable places in which to hide from predators and take shelter from oppressive heat during the day. In winter, to avoid the opposite extreme of cold, amphibians commonly venture into woodlands in search of places to hibernate, with research investigating amphibian population trends finding much greater numbers returning to breed from adjacent deciduous woodlands than from forestry plantations, underlying their importance to amphibians throughout the year. Toads on the other hand can tolerate more arid conditions than their relatives, and so may venture far from water bodies as they wander in search of food. It is not unknown for the common toad (Bufo bufo) to travel over a mile from water!
Reptiles: Woodland lovers or passersby?
An adder basking among some bracken. Photo taken in situ by Matthew Hopes.
Most of the UK’s reptiles, unlike amphibians are not closely linked to freshwater and so can be found in almost any terrestrial habitat. The widespread species -like the common lizard (Zootoca vivipara), slow-worm (Anguis fragilis), grass snake (Natrix helvetica) and the adder (Vipera berus)- can be found in a wide variety of environments ranging from woodland glades and grasslands, to heathlands and wetlands. Their requirement for access to sunlight to thermoregulate and maintain functional body temperatures means that traditional closed canopy woodlands are not usually ideal places to support resident reptiles. That said, reptiles can use woodland to their advantage, traversing it as they search for mates and prey, although they do not usually remain in woods. However, glades and rides within and through woodlands can be excellent areas to find reptiles, comprising important habitats for them. Glades often support a wide variety of flora that create adequate cover, which in turn supports a wealth of wildlife that will attract reptiles. In this way, they can be important islands for reptiles to colonize and establish populations. As for many animals, woodland rides provide important pathways and connections between valuable habitats, allowing reptiles to move through otherwise unsuitable habitats and to thus maintain gene flow and connectivity between populations of different areas.
In conclusion
Amphibians and reptiles use a wide variety of habitats for several reasons during the year. The importance of different habitat types dotted with particular features such as egg-laying sites for grass snakes, or ponds for amphibians, cannot be overstated. In an era when so many species face extinction, and at a time when our own native British herps face numerous threats to their survival, especially habitat loss, the creation and management of high-quality habitats has never been more important. The work 9Trees does while creating woodland provides important refuges for nature, but also creates vital space for these declining species to hold on and survive, in an often human-dominated landscape.
By Matthew Hopes- Student and herpetofauna enthusiast