The very fact that our native species of these two groups of animals are few in number – seven amphibians and six reptiles – renders them highly interesting. Most of them are rarely seen by the average citizen, although the possession of a garden pond can often mean a close relationship with perhaps two species of newts and the common frog and common toad. Another reason for highlighting the present status of these species is because of the immense effort put into their welfare by Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC), and so this chapter is an important indicator of how successful special conservation efforts can be. Some of the species are still in trouble, but they might not be here at all were it not for these special efforts. ARC has 20 staff members and a large army of volunteers, manages over 80 nature reserves covering about 1500 hectares, and provides some excellent publicity and information on its website.

Amphibians

Our truly native amphibians include three species of newts (smooth, palmate and great crested), two frogs (common frog and pool frog) and two toads (common toad and natterjack toad) (Table 12.1). The smooth newt remains widespread in Britain and Ireland, the palmate newt is also widespread but absent from Ireland and the great crested newt remains widespread in England, less so in Scotland and is absent from Ireland. The common frog remains common throughout Britain and Ireland, while the pool frog is rare throughout and confined to a small population in Norfolk. At one time the existence of the common frog in Ireland was believed to be entirely a result of introductions from elsewhere, but more recently examples of this species from southwest Ireland have been examined molecularly, and they look to be indigenous from before the last ice age, the area in Ireland being a natural refugium from the ice and allowing the frogs’ survival. Common toads are widespread, but absent from Ireland, while the natterjack toad, a lover of salt marsh and sand dunes, occurs in small populations in scattered localities, including some in southern Ireland.