Every year on October 21st, people around the world come together to celebrate all things Reptile. Universally loved creatures, reptiles can be found as household pets, in captivity and in their natural habitats which can be on land or in water. Whether you like snakes, lizards, bearded dragons, turtles, geckos or even crocodiles – there’s a species for everyone to learn more about!
Reptiles are an often-overlooked animal group, similarly to amphibians like frogs and toads, but these creatures are an integral part of our planet’s biodiversity and habitats. So, on Reptile Awareness Day 2020, we want to shed light on the ways you can get involved in helping to protect our cold-blooded friends whilst educating more people on the creatures of the scaly world.
Domestically kept reptiles can sadly be neglected, bred in captivity and face a variety of welfare issues. As reptiles become one of the most popular exotic pets held in captivity, there is an increasing number of tragic stories where reptiles are being bred in poor conditions, purely for profit. After this, they are sold on to pet shops where they can be bought impulsively by anyone.
This lack of concern for their very specialised care requirements and needs can lead to severe health problems for reptiles. So, if you are considering owning a reptile, or already own a reptile, you may be interested in our Reptile Welfare Courses, giving you all the information you need to care for the welfare needs of captive reptiles, including reptile first-aid.
We have six species of reptiles native to the UK: Common Lizards, Sand Lizards, Slow Worms, Grass Snakes, Adder Snakes and Smooth Snakes. Sadly, today many of these species are under ecological threat, due to the loss of their natural habitats and a rise in pollution.
Did you know that the Smooth Snake is the rarest native reptile species in England? In fact, they can only be found occasionally in heathland and woodland areas in the South, so if you do spot one, count yourself very lucky.
These snakes and many other reptiles need conservation to ensure their protection and survival as a species. So, to help you learn about what you can do to make a difference, we’ve come up with a shortlist!
3 ways you can help the conservation of our scaly friends
1 Make a reptile haven in your garden or local area
Reptiles appreciate the warmth and a good place to hide from their predators, so a cosy spot in your garden could be the perfect place! You can make your garden more accommodating to reptiles by making a few small changes. Here are our suggestions:
- Leaving your garden to grow.
- Leaving out logs, pieces of wood or iron for any reptiles to shelter under.
- Putting in a compost heap (the heat from which is a perfect place for snakes to leave their eggs!)
- Ensuring household pets such as cats have a bell on their collar, as this will help to alert any reptiles in your garden that your cat is around and could prevent reptiles being hunted.
- Walk around your garden before mowing to alert reptiles to movement. This will reduce the chances of reptiles being killed while you mow the grass.
2 Join your local wildlife trust
Through joining a wildlife trust, you will be ensuring the health and conservation of wildlife in your local area and nationwide. Being a member of a wildlife trust will also teach you lots more information relevant to the local wildlife in your area, and you may discover some new beautiful walking spots along the way.
3 Educate yourself and spread the word
By taking the time to learn more about reptiles, you will have the relevant information and knowledge to teach others and spread the word about reptile conservation. Not only will you discover more about the interesting and wonderful world of reptiles, but you can use this knowledge to make a real difference.
Are you interested in learning more about the wonderful scaly world of reptiles?
At Animal Courses Direct, we offer a wide range of regulated and accredited Reptile Courses to suit all.
Let’s help raise awareness and protect these wonderful creatures!
You can also keep track of all upcoming animal awareness days and events with our FREE calendar! Download it here.
