Who are we?
We are a friendly, volunteer led group who have a passion for reptiles and amphibians and a willingness to share this passion, knowledge and experience with others.
We are made up of individuals with a variety of backgrounds and interests, from those with a general interest in the natural world to experienced herpetologists, ecologists and conservationists.
What do we hope to achieve?
Here are some of the group’s key aims and objectives:
How do we achieve this?
Supporters of frogs, toads, newts, snakes and lizards will be gathering in Cornwall on Sunday 3rd March for a South West regional meeting of Britain’s Amphibian and Reptile Groups.
Staged at Cornwall College Newquay, the conference is being organised jointly by the Cornwall Reptile and Amphibian Group (CRAG) – a specialist group within Cornwall Wildlife Trust – and the College’s Student Invasive Non-Native Group (SINNG).
The programme promises a lively mix of presentations on local, national and global conservation issues. Topics include Cornwall’s rare sand lizards, latest results from SINNG’s studies of non-native amphibians in the county, and a report on the current status of adders in the UK.
Delegates will also draw inspiration and ideas from research as far afield as Spain and Tanzania to help conserve species closer to home. Practical guidance will be given on recording systems and on biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of diseases through fieldwork.
There will be lighter moments, including a session entitled ‘Adam, Eve and Hissing Sid’, as well as time for informal discussion.
“One of the best things about Amphibian and Reptile Group meetings, nationally and regionally, is that they give people a chance to encourage each other’s efforts and share information, says CRAG Co-ordinator Mark Nicholson.
“Most of those who attend will be members of the various county ARGs, which together make up ARG UK. We’re a close-knit community of specialists and we work very effectively together to make sure these creatures get their fair share of conservation effort.”
The event’s sponsors are environmental consultancy companies CGO Ecology Ltd and Herpetologic Ltd, as well as the College itself.
Anyone interested in attending is asked to contact Pete Mycock at newtpete@hotmail.co.uk for details.
These two courses are run by Nicky Green CEnv MIEEM, Chair of the Devon Reptile & Amphibian Group (DRAG) and has been working with great crested newts since 2003. The course location is the spectacular Braunton Burrows sand dunes SSSI on the picturesque north Devon coast.
Course cost is £100 (exclusive of required overnight accommodation) and all proceeds will be donated to DRAG. To reserve a place email nicky@green-ecology.co.uk. The courses on both weekends are the same.
Items covered include: -
DRAG volunteers will be improving newt habitat at Chudliegh Knighton Heath tomorrow. Enthusiastic volunteers will be getting stuck into clearing scubby vegetation to allow for a digger to reach the existing pond at a later date. We will then be clearing the ground as best we can to keep newts out of the footprint of the works and remove vegetation from the pond to stop it from silting up. If you interested in joining in with similar events in the future please get in touch to become a member of DRAG (it's free!) and get email alerts on events and other activities.
Mabel Cheung
Introduction to Reptile Identification and Surveying
Adder Bites - Helpful Links
Dogs and Adders
Dogs 'n' Adders - Information Leaflet
Snakes in Gardens
Snakes are fascinating creatures and for many, finding one in the garden is a real treat and a memorable experience.
However, for many others this can be a disconcerting and even worrying situation. This can be as a result of misunderstandings often fed by negative and often inaccurate media reports and rumours. Please be assured, though, that there is no reason to worry and that these situations can be resolved fairly easily.
The vast majority of reported snake sightings in gardens turn out to be either a Grass Snake or a Slow worm (a legless lizard which resembles a snake). Both species are harmless and are best left alone.
We only have one venomous snake species, the Adder, which is rarely found in gardens unless your property is situated close to favourable habitat. Even then, the adder is a very shy animal and avoids human activity whenever it can. Again, the best course of action is to leave it alone and allow it to move off when it’s ready. The likelihood is that it is just passing through anyway.
Occasionally, DRAG gets asked about relocating snakes. For all kinds of practical reasons this isn’t something we would do and would actually be the opposite of what our group encourages which is reptile conservation.
The best recommendation we can provide is to learn as much as possible about the reptile you have seen in your garden. We will happily help you identify it and provide related advice such as understanding which features of your garden have likely attracted it in the first place.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch and send a photo or description of the snake to devonrag@hotmail.com or to our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/DevonARG/.
It would really help if you could record your sighting on Record Pool either using the Devon Reptile and Amphibian Group (DRAG) website (under the 'Record a sighting' tab) or by visiting https://www.recordpool.org.uk.
Please remember that reptiles are protected under UK law.
Devon's Reptiles
In the UK we have 6 native reptile species, each of which can be found in Devon.
To find out more about a particular species click on it's name which will then jump to the relevant information.
Adder Vipera berus
Grass Snake (or Barred Grass Snake) Natrix helvetica
Smooth Snake Coronella austriaca
Slow Worm Anguis fragilis
Viviparous (or Common) Lizard Zootoca vivipara
Sand Lizard Lacerta agilis
Devon's Amphibians
In the UK we have 7 native amphibian species, 6 of which can be found in Devon.
To find out more about a particular species click on it's name which will then jump to the relevant information.
Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus)
Smooth Newt (Lissotriton vulgaris)
Palmate Newt (Lissotriton helveticus)
Common Toad (Bufo bufo)
Natterjack Toad (Epidalea calamita)
Common Frog (Rana temporaria)
For information on the adder please click on the fact sheet link in blue or you can watch the animated video below.
Grass Snake Natrix helvetica
Tadpoles
We've all seen them right, often in large numbers early in the year in even the smallest bodies of water ..... but what are tadpoles?
Tadpoles are the larval stage in the life cycle of an amphibian. In the UK the tadpoles we most often encounter will belong to the Common frog (Rana temporaria) or Common toad (Bufo Bufo).
Amphibians go through several stages before reaching their adult form. This incredible process is known as metamorphosis. Below is a video showing in detail how this process takes place.
Why become a member?
Well, big things start in small ways and becoming a member of the Devon Reptile and Amphibian Group (DRAG) is one step you can take towards protecting the reptiles and amphibians in your local area and beyond.
Whether you’re dropping us a line by email, submitting a photo or participating as a volunteer in a reptile or amphibian survey your contribution is valued all the same. Everything we can do to keep the ‘conversation’ going is great for the reptiles and amphibians of Devon.
The more members that join the greater the potential for activity. Put simply, without members we couldn’t do what we do and it would be great to have you join us.
Membership benefits:
Some of the activities that you will be invited to can include talks by local experts, guided walks, bioblitzes and even species identification and survey skills training.
Opportunities for volunteering could include surveying, habitat management or helping out at nature festivals.
Have a voice in what we do.
We value your feedback and encourage it.
For example:
Drop us a line and let us know at devonrag@hotmail.com.
How do I join?
If you would like to become a member please send your request by email to devonrag@hotmail.com.
FAQ
Answer: Membership is free to join.
Answer: Currently, membership is on a rolling annual basis.
Answer: No. There are no prerequisites, nor is there any minimum level of commitment required.
Answer: Yes. Whilst volunteering makes a big difference to what we do, we totally understand that not everyone’s circumstances allow for it.
Answer: You can cancel your membership at any time by sending your request to devonrag@hotmail.com.
If you want to join DRAG and our email group, or have a general query, please contact a member of DRAG admin:
Please be patient with us, this email address is not checked every day!
Upcoming events will be listed here.
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