Bristol
(Avon)

Closest Town:

BRISTOL (0.5 km)

Introduction date:

Discovered 2006, estimated foundation circa 2004.

Site Name:

Bristol

Source of introduction:

Unknown - However the Zoology department at the University is known to have kept various lacertids. Possible escapees, as deliberate release is unlikely.

Site Access:

Public

Colony Status:

Extant

Relative population estimate:

128

Extirpation date:

N/a

This colony, based in the grounds of large garden in Bristol's city centre, was discovered by am employee of the BBC Natural History Unit in 2006. The species has been confirmed by photograph and survey. The animals are the green-backed form that is normally associated with North Western Italy.

Gardeners at the site report that lizards have been present for 'some years'. Juveniles with an estimated birth year of 2007 have been observed, suggesting that this is a breeding colony.

Recently, groundskeeping staff have taken an interest in the lizards and are improving the habitat to better suit the animals.

This city centre park is isolated from most native herpeta, with the exception of the occasional Grass snake, and perhaps Slow worms. The ecological impact of this colony is judged as negligible.

Public city-centre recreation park, using rockeries, steps and architectural features.

Aerial image of the Bristol habitat

Some animal appear to resemble the Podarcis muralis maculiventris sub-species of northen Italy.

Bristol morph © Kevin Byrnes

Bristol morph © Kevin Byrnes