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Nature Quiz - Reptiles and Amphibians - British Reptiles (Questions)

Britain has six native reptiles, from slow worms to adders. Learn how to spot them, where they live, and why warm sunshine matters, then take the quiz.

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Fascinating Fact

Heathland, rough grassland, and woodland edges are important reptile habitats, especially where there is a mix of open sun and dense cover.

In this Specialist Nature quiz, you will explore Britain’s native reptiles and the clues that help you identify them. You will look at snakes, lizards and slow worms, how they feed, how they keep warm, and why some species are rarer and more protected than others.

Key Terms

Reptile: A cold-blooded vertebrate with scaly skin, such as a snake or lizard.
Ectothermic: Needing external heat, like sunshine, to warm the body and stay active.
Basking: Resting in a warm spot to raise body temperature, often on paths, banks or sunny edges.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What reptiles live in the UK?

The UK has six native reptiles, the adder, grass snake, smooth snake, common lizard, sand lizard and slow worm. Some are widespread, while others are mainly found in specific habitats.

How can you tell a slow worm from a snake?

A slow worm is a legless lizard, not a snake. It can blink because it has eyelids, and it may shed its tail if threatened, while snakes do not have eyelids and cannot drop their tails.

Is the adder dangerous in the UK?

The adder is the UK’s only native venomous snake, but it usually avoids people and bites are uncommon. If someone is bitten, it is important to seek medical advice promptly.

Try These Related Quizzes

To see a larger image, click on the picture.

1.

Which of the following would a grass snake be least likely to eat?

[ ]	Frogs
[ ]	Newts
[ ]	Rabbits
[ ]	Birds

2.

What is one difference between the male and female common lizard?

[ ]	The underside of the male is brightly-coloured with spots
[ ]	The underside of the female is brightly-coloured with spots
[ ]	The male has a large red ruff around its neck
[ ]	The female has a large red ruff around its neck

3.

The adder has a marking on its head which is similar to which letter of the alphabet?

[ ]	B
[ ]	G
[ ]	J
[ ]	V

4.

What is the slow worm's alternative name?

[ ]	Fake snake
[ ]	Lounge lizard
[ ]	Lazy lizard
[ ]	Blind worm

5.

Can you identify this British reptile?

[ ]	Common Wall Lizard
[ ]	Sand Lizard
[ ]	European green lizard
[ ]	Common Lizard

6.

Can you identify this British reptile?

[ ]	Aesculapian Snake
[ ]	Grass Snake
[ ]	Adder
[ ]	Dice snake

7.

The Common Lizard is viviparous. What does this mean?

[ ]	Gives birth to live young
[ ]	Smells with its feet
[ ]	Changes colour for camouflage
[ ]	Has no stomach

8.

Can you identify this British reptile?

[ ]	Dice snake
[ ]	Smooth Snake
[ ]	Aesculapian Snake
[ ]	Adder

9.

A slow-worm has something that lizards have but snakes don't. What is it?

[ ]	A forked tongue
[ ]	Scales
[ ]	Legs
[ ]	Eyelids

10.

Can you identify this British reptile?

[ ]	Slow worm
[ ]	Dice snake
[ ]	Grass Snake
[ ]	Adder

Nature Quiz - Reptiles and Amphibians - British Reptiles (Answers)

1.

Which of the following would a grass snake be least likely to eat?

[ ]	Frogs
[ ]	Newts
[x]	Rabbits
[ ]	Birds

Grass snakes are active predators and swallow the prey in one piece while it is still alive

2.

What is one difference between the male and female common lizard?

[x]	The underside of the male is brightly-coloured with spots
[ ]	The underside of the female is brightly-coloured with spots
[ ]	The male has a large red ruff around its neck
[ ]	The female has a large red ruff around its neck

Females have a yellow, grey or greenish underside with few or no spots

3.

The adder has a marking on its head which is similar to which letter of the alphabet?

[ ]	B
[ ]	G
[ ]	J
[x]	V

X, M and H are also descriptions of the marking

4.

What is the slow worm's alternative name?

[ ]	Fake snake
[ ]	Lounge lizard
[ ]	Lazy lizard
[x]	Blind worm

This is because it has eyelids, which snakes do not have

5.

Can you identify this British reptile?

[ ]	Common Wall Lizard
[x]	Sand Lizard
[ ]	European green lizard
[ ]	Common Lizard

6.

Can you identify this British reptile?

[ ]	Aesculapian Snake
[ ]	Grass Snake
[x]	Adder
[ ]	Dice snake

7.

The Common Lizard is viviparous. What does this mean?

[x]	Gives birth to live young
[ ]	Smells with its feet
[ ]	Changes colour for camouflage
[ ]	Has no stomach

Most lizards lay eggs

8.

Can you identify this British reptile?

[ ]	Dice snake
[x]	Smooth Snake
[ ]	Aesculapian Snake
[ ]	Adder

9.

A slow-worm has something that lizards have but snakes don't. What is it?

[ ]	A forked tongue
[ ]	Scales
[ ]	Legs
[x]	Eyelids

Slow-worms also shed their tails when captured, a typical feature of a lizard

10.

Can you identify this British reptile?

[ ]	Slow worm
[ ]	Dice snake
[x]	Grass Snake
[ ]	Adder