The Isle of Wight has a number of resident reptile species including the Common Lizard, Wall Lizard, Adder, Grass Snake and the Slow Worm.

Reptiles do not generate enough internal heat to maintain a constant body temperature and are thus referred to as 'cold-blooded'. Which means that they rely on gathering and losing heat from the environment to regulate their internal temperature, this means that generally the best places to spot them are the more exposed areas, for example grassland, particularly on the downs and cliff edges, which are a preferred home to Common Lizards.

Ventnor in particular has a healthy population of lizards and they can often be seen sunbathing on sunny walls and along the coastal footpaths. The Wall Lizard, a native of Southern Europe is thought to have been introduced many years ago and is quite at home soaking up the rays in Ventnor's sunny climate. Keep your eyes open as it can often be spotted sitting in cracks and crevices on stonewalls and in the Botanic Gardens.  

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