Reptiles

Reptiles are widespread within Carmarthenshire. Reptiles recorded in the County include the Adder (Vipera berus), Grass Snake (Natrix natrix), Slow Worm (Anguis fragilis) and Common or Viviparous Lizard (Lacerta vivipara). Many habiatats are suitable for these reptiles.

All the native reptiles of Carmarthenshire are afforded protection under sub-section 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).

Offences:

The protection under the above legislation means that it is illegal to:

• Kill or injure a reptile
• Trade/sell a reptile. 

Exceptions:

The exceptions to the legislation refer to allowing things to happen that are reasonable, unavoidable or unpredicatable  e.g. running over a Slow Worm on a road.

Development and Planning:

Development of sites that support habitats suitable for reptiles, such as long grass, wetlands, heathland and woodland edges; may require that surveys for reptiles are undertaken.  It should be noted that surveys can only be undertaken when reptiles are active between April and October.  If reptiles are discovered (or suspected if surveys are not possible) a capture and release scheme may be a requirement of a planning permission.  This will involve capturing reptiles on the development site and moving to a suitable receptor site.  This receptor site should be identified as early on as possible to limit delays.  Such receptor sites ideally shouldn't support reptiles already, and so many sites may need to undergo habitat improvement works to make them suitable to accept reptiles.