Red-eyed tree frog

A search is under way for reptiles and amphibians to help monitor their survival—and ours.

Volunteers are looking for frogs, toads, newts, snakes and lizards we all share our neighbourhoods with.

It is part of a London-wide ‘reptile and amphibian environment’ project to find the scaly creatures which stalk our streets and open spaces.

“These creatures are disappearing due to loss of habitats,” warned the project’s Sophie Hinton.

“Amphibians are like humans, depending on fresh water—their decline reflects the damage we’re doing to our environment.

“It’s a warning about our own survival.”

Life isn’t easy for reptiles and amphibians, so the project has been set up to lend a helping hand.

London has nine of the 13 native British amphibians and reptiles occurring naturally, including the common frog, toad, newt, lizard, slow-worm, grass snake and even adder—but all appear in decline.

A colony of endangered newts had to be moved when land clearance began for a veladrome on Hackney Marshes for next year’s Olympics. The newts were placed in a safe area six miles away when work began three years ago.

A series of ‘awareness’ events is planned, the first this Sunday at a nature reserve near Croydon, 11am-3pm. Details online: www.wildlondon.org.uk