Surrey Amphibian and Reptile Group (SARG) 

Wall Lizard Colonies: Holmsley

Holmsley
(Hampshire)

 

Closest Town:

NEW (5.0 km)

 

Introduction date:

1986

Site Name:

Holmsley

 

Source of introduction:

Escapees from captive bred stock. Believed to be a mixture of sources, including imported French stock and captured animals from the Shoreham, Ventnor and Birdbrook colonies.

Site Access:

Private

 

Colony Status:

Extant

Relative population estimate:

60

 

Extirpation date:

N/a

 
History:

Two colonies are known to be established in gardens in Hampshire. This colony results from a very few individuals which escaped from a large outdoor vivarium in the summer of 1986. The lizards took up residence in the owner's garden and did not (initially) venture far from the vivarium, taking up residence within a log pile. The colony is believed to have now spread to adjoining premises.

 
Ecological impact:

Not assessed

 
Habitat:

Residential gardens, surrounded by coniferous open forest and heathland.

 
Morphology:

Probably the green backed form, with origins from Italy.

 
Location: