Legislation for Reptile Species Protection

The sand lizard Lacerta agilis and smooth snake Coronella austriaca receive full protection under Habitats Regulations 2010 (as amended) through their inclusion on Schedule 2. Regulation 41 prohibits:

• Deliberate killing, injuring or capturing of Schedule 2 species

• Deliberate disturbance of species in such a way as:

a) To impair their ability to survive, breed, or reproduce, or to rear or nurture young; 

b) To impair their ability to hibernate or migrate;

c) To affect significantly the local distribution or abundance of the species.

• Damage or destruction of a breeding site or resting place

These species are also listed on Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and they are additionally protected from:

• Intentional or reckless disturbance (at any level).

• Intentional or reckless obstruction of access to any place of shelter or protection.

• Selling, offering or exposing for sale, possession or transporting for purpose of sale. 

Other native species of reptiles are protected solely under Schedule 5, Section 9(1) & (5) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, i.e. the adder Vipera berus, grass snake Natrix helvetica, common lizard Zootoca vivipara and slow-worm Anguis fragilis. It is prohibited to:

• Intentionally or recklessly kill or injure these species.

Development activities such as vegetation clearance, dismantling of refugia and excavations could result in the loss of breeding sites or resting places or the disturbance, injury or killing of reptiles.