Reptiles

Preventing the spread of fungal disease, Chytridiomycosis, amongst amphibians and reptiles in the UK should be easier, thanks to a new guide produced by ARG-UK (amphibian and reptile group).

 

The guide stresses the need to avoid spreading the fungal disease by not moving amphibians or pond water, sterilising footware and equipment and reporting dead amphibians. The non-transfer message should also help stop the spread of invasive aquatic plants, such as Azolla and Parrot’s Feather.

Monday 4 February sees the launch of a stunning new series, introduced by Sir David Attenborough, on BBC 1 Television; Life in Cold Blood. His previous programmes in a similar vein covered plants, birds, mammals and insects and this latest five-part series completes the sequence of the major groups of life on earth, with a close look at reptiles and amphibians.

5th September, 2007 Sand lizards from Marwell Zoo are being released at Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Coombe Heath reserve near Wool. The most threatened of Britain’s six reptile species, the sand lizard has suffered from massive loss of heathland habitat due to urban development and changes in land use. Listed on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, it is now benefiting from efforts to join up the remaining fragments of heath in Dorset.