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United kingdom
As a nature enthusiast, I have spent countless hours exploring the natural world, both at home and abroad. While overseas expeditions have allowed me to observe and photograph some of the world's most fascinating reptiles, I have also found great joy in exploring the wildlife of my home country, the United Kingdom.
In 2022, after many years of exploring the UK's natural habitats, I finally achieved a long-standing goal: to photograph every native UK reptile. This was no easy feat, as the UK is home to six species of native reptiles, each with its own unique behaviors, habitats, and challenges to observe.
The first species I sought to photograph was the adder these can be found locally to me in the Cotswolds and are the UK's only venomous snake. Found in heathland and moorland habitats across the country, the adder is a striking and elusive creature, known for its distinctive zigzag pattern and secretive behavior.
The next species on my list was the common lizard, a small but widespread species that can be found in grasslands, heathlands, and woodlands throughout the UK. Despite its name, the common lizard is anything but ordinary, with its bright colors and agile movements making it a fascinating subject to observe and photograph.
My biggest challenge was finding the smooth snake, a rare and elusive species found only in a few locations in southern England; and the sand lizard, a specialist species found in coastal dunes and heathlands. While each of these species presented its own unique challenges, the joy of observing and photographing them in their natural habitats was immeasurable.
It was a reminder of the incredible diversity and beauty that exists in the UK's wildlife, and of the importance of protecting and conserving these species and their habitats.As a herpetologist and nature enthusiast, I encourage everyone to take the time to explore the natural world around them, whether at home or abroad. You never know what wonders you might discover.
