Nature & Heritage

Reptiles and Amphibians

The cold far north of Scotland might not be the what comes to mind as ideal amphibian and reptile habitat. However, there are 6 different species of amphibian and reptile which can be found throughout the Flow Country!

Common Frog

A favourite of ponds everywhere, the common frog is at home in the Flow Country, where the bog provides ample habitat. Though they are associated with ponds, adult frogs spend the majority of their lives on land, returning to water in the spring to breed.

Palmate newt

The palmate newt is the UK's smallest native newt. It favours marshes and bogs, so is well at home in the Flow Country.

Common Lizard

Common lizards are also known as 'viviparous lizards', viviparous means gives birth to live young. This is something that all three reptile species found in the Flow Country have in common, as eggs would be unable to survive the cold temperatures.

Slow Worm

Often mistaken for a snake, the slow worm is actually a legless lizard! They spend a lot of their life underground, eating small invertebrates.

Common Toad

The common toad is brown in colour, and unlike the common frog, has warty skin. Its skin contains powerful toxins which help protect it from predators.

Adders are the Flow Country’s only snake and the only venomous snake found in the UK. Adders do not pose a serious threat to people, most attacks happen when they are trodden on or picked up. If left alone, they tend to slither away rather than attacking. In the UK, there have been no deaths from adder attacks since 1975.

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