England Awakens

[Ilian Velikov]

Things are waking up in the London area as well. No Coronella or agilis around here, and I could only get these crappy photos but....what the hell, I'm just glad it's warm now

[Daniel Kane]

I like that grass snake shot Ilian. Are the adders from the Greater London area?

[Liam Russell]

what the hell, I'm just glad it's warm now

Yes about time!

@Dan and Peter

It does seem logical that the pattern differences are based on camouflage and I'm sure this does play some role. It's worth noting that field surveys found no difference in predation rates of bright green or cryptic coloured agilis. And I believe in the Netherlands there is no apparent difference in appearance between coastal and heathland populations (feel free to chip in of you are familiar with this!). However, the genetics of the northern UK population means they are likely to change more quickly.

[Jeroen Speybroeck]

And I believe in the Netherlands there is no apparent difference in appearance between coastal and heathland populations (feel free to chip in of you are familiar with this!).

Bobby?

[Bobby Bok]

The difference is less clear than in the UK animals but I find the animals from where I live (near the dunes) always a bit smaller, paler in colouration, less greener and they have less black in the pattern than the animals from heathland populations (like the Veluwe for example). When I'm back home I will have a look at my pictures to try to visualize what I mean.

[Peter Oefinger]

The difference is less clear than in the UK animals but I find the animals from where I live (near the dunes) always a bit smaller, paler in colouration, less greener and they have less black in the pattern than the animals from heathland populations (like the Veluwe for example). When I'm back home I will have a look at my pictures to try to visualize what I mean.

My hypothesis seems to be verified...also by this:
http://lacerta.de/AS/Bildarchiv.php?Sub ... iederlande

[Michal Szkudlarek]

[Ilian Velikov]

I like that grass snake shot Ilian. Are the adders from the Greater London area?

Thanks, Daniel. Yes, both the adders and the grass snakes are from the same spot in the Greater London area.

[Liam Russell]

Some of the sand lizards are looking a bit greener today, and I even found a "German" looking one










And the strange-looking visitor



And of course, a Viperas because I know that's what people like...
this first one had a very dark face.

[Daniel Kane]

A pair of Trachemys from a pond down the road from me; not sure how long these have been living here for, but the first time I have seen this species in the UK.