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Population estimates: |
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-LAF Senior Member Joined: 03 Apr 2003 No. of posts: 317  View other posts by -LAF |
Posted: 02 Jul 2003 Does anyone know whether there are any reasonably sound national population estimates for our native reptiles. For example I know that the adder is our most widespread snake and I have read that it is also our most numerous but I was wondering if this was based on general observation or actual population estimates. Certainly here in Derbyshire the grass snake is the far more abundant whereas in central Lincolnshire the Adder is conspicuously more frequent. I've heard (varying) population estimates presented for smooth snake and sand lizard but wondered if there were similar estimates for our 'common' reptiles? Many thanks, Lee. Lee Fairclough |
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Matt Harris Senior Member Joined: 03 Jun 2003 No. of posts: 196 View other posts by Matt Harris |
Posted: 02 Jul 2003 There's this table on DEFRA's website from 1995, if it's the kind of thing you're looking for. http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/des/wildlife/wld2223.htm Gwent Amphibian and Reptile Group (GARG) |
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-LAF Senior Member Joined: 03 Apr 2003 No. of posts: 317 View other posts by -LAF |
Posted: 02 Jul 2003 That's absolutely brilliant! Many thanks, Lee. Lee Fairclough |
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David Bird Forum Specialist Joined: 17 Feb 2003 No. of posts: 515 View other posts by David Bird |
Posted: 02 Jul 2003 I think that numbers of populations or numbers of specimens are almost pointless. The Smooth Snake and Sand Lizard numbers are very suspect. I worked out the other year that I had seen about 2 % of the countries population in 2 years on about 10 hectares of suitable habitat where I had tins down and have seen about 5 % of the Sand lizards in a single season on just 3 sites. The figures from the web site above are used in the English Nature Species Conservation Handbook but there is also other references and other workers estimates some of which are in my opinion more realistic in some species. British Herpetological Society Librarian and member of B.H.S Conservation Committee. Self employed Herpetological Consultant and Field Worker. |
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Tony Phelps Forum Specialist Joined: 09 Mar 2003 No. of posts: 575 View other posts by Tony Phelps |
Posted: 02 Jul 2003 I Agree with Dave Tony |
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-LAF Senior Member Joined: 03 Apr 2003 No. of posts: 317 View other posts by -LAF |
Posted: 02 Jul 2003 Ah, so it was too good to be true! Anyone at the sharp end of this fancy throwing some ball park estimates around 
Regards, Lee Lee Fairclough |
- Population estimates |