Rare reptile attraction hit by rat attack

The New Forest Reptile Centre has a number of pods inhabited by snakes and other reptiles

A wildlife attraction housing rare amphibians, lizards and snakes has suffered an attack by rats.

Forestry England said rats had infiltrated the pods at the New Forest Reptile Centre near Lyndhurst.

It said it was the first time such an incident had taken place and it was "carefully assessing" how to respond.

The open-air centre provides a natural home to creatures including sand lizards, smooth snakes and adders, allowing visitors to see normally elusive reptiles close up.

The small conservation centre, located in Holidays Hill Inclosure off the A35, has a number of netted-off concrete pods that can be viewed by the public.

A Forestry England statement said "sadly", rats appeared to have accessed the netted concrete pods holding animals, despite the preventative measures in place.

"Animal welfare in our number one priority and any actions we take will be guided by this," it said.

“Not all of the animals were affected and some have been temporarily relocated.

"It is hard to assess the full impact at this time as some of the animals hibernate at this time of year."

The New Forest is renowned as an important haven for rare snakes and other reptiles.

Its areas of open heathlands, with sandy soils that heat up quickly, are the most conducive habitats for them.

The national park is home to all six of the UK’s native reptile species - adder, sand lizard, slow-worm, grass snake, common lizard and smooth snake.