Rat Incursion Impacts Rare Reptile Attraction

A wildlife facility housing uncommon amphibians, lizards, and snakes has experienced a rat attack. Forestry England confirmed that rats breached the pods at the New Forest Reptile Centre, situated close to Lyndhurst. The organization stated this was an unprecedented event and that it is “carefully assessing” the appropriate response. This open-air facility offers a natural habitat for various creatures, such as sand lizards, smooth snakes, and adders, enabling visitors to observe these typically hard-to-spot reptiles at close range. The compact conservation site, found within Holidays Hill Inclosure adjacent to the A35, features several concrete pods enclosed by netting, accessible for public viewing. A statement from Forestry England indicated that “sadly,” rats seemingly gained entry to the netted concrete pods containing animals, notwithstanding the existing preventative measures. The statement emphasized, “Animal welfare in our number one priority and any actions we take will be guided by this.” It further noted, “Not all of the animals were affected and some have been temporarily relocated.” The full extent of the impact is currently difficult to ascertain, as some of the animals are in hibernation during this season. The New Forest is recognized as a significant sanctuary for uncommon snakes and other reptile species. Its expansive heathlands, characterized by sandy soils that rapidly warm, provide the most suitable environments for these creatures. The national park hosts all six of the United Kingdom’s indigenous reptile species: adder, sand lizard, slow-worm, grass snake, common lizard, and smooth snake. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.