Reptiles & Amphibians

Amphibians live for part of their life on dry land and part of their life in water. It is likely that Oare Gunpowder Works supports the common frog, common toad, smooth newt, and the reptile, grass snake. Great-crested newts are found in the neighbourhood and could well be present here.

Common frog (Rana temporaria)
Common frogs have a moist skin with a brown patch behind the eye. Frogs hop away when disturbed.

Toad (Bufo bufo)
Toads are plump with a dry, warty skin and waddle or crawl rather than hop away from a threat.

Smooth newt (Triturus vulgaris)
Smooth newts are slim amphibians that can grow up to 4 inches long. They have long tails and four short, slender legs. Palmate newts T. helviticus have also been found at Oare Gunpowder Works.

Great-crested newt (T cristatus)
Great-crested newt is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and the Conservation (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1994. This means the adult newts, juveniles, their spawn and their habitat should not be destroyed, damaged or disturbed in any way. Other amphibians receive protection under Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Amphibians enter a torpid state during the winter, burying themselves in frost-free refuges such as leaf piles, underground cavities or the bottom of a pond. Early in the spring they emerge and move into water to breed. Frogspawn is the familiar jelly-like spawn, whilst toadspawn is laid in long strings. Newts lay eggs that are individually wrapped in water-plant leaves.

Many eggs are eaten by newts, fish, birds and other predators but some survive as tadpoles and will change into the adult form. Plants and animals should not be moved from one site to another.

Grass snake (Natrix natrix)
Grass snake is sometimes seen swimming in the lower millpond. This snake is greenish in colour with a distinctive yellow collar. It will move away from areas of disturbance and is only dangerous if you are a frog or a toad.

Reptiles are afforded protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Find out more about amphibians and reptiles in Kent at www.kentarg.org. Try www.froglife.org for more general information.

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Common Frog

Toad