Home | About Us | Projects | Species Info | Habitat Info | How to... | Forum | FAQ | Links | Contact Us
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an ARG?
South & West Wales Amphibian & Reptile Group is affiliated to the Amphibian & Reptile Groups of the UK (ARG UK). ARG UK is a network of local groups actively involved with the conservation of amphibians and reptiles (collectively known as herpetofauna) in the UK.
ARGUK work closely with the Herpetological Conservation Trust (HCT) and is assisted in particular by the widespread species officer of the HCT.
Can I join the South & West Wales Amphibian & Reptile Group?
SWWARG are always pleased to hear from interested and enthusiastic people that would like to learn more about our native amphibians and reptiles and perhaps become more actively involved with helping them. Experience is not necessary. All that is required is a genuine desire to help wildlife.
Find out more about how to join us here
I would like to join an ARG, but I don’t live in South or West Wales, how can I become involved?
There are established ARGs throughout most of mainland Britain. Contact details are available here ... http://www.arg-uk.org.uk/contacts.htm If there is not a group already in your area, perhaps you may be able to start a group with the help of one or two other interested people.
Advice and guidance in doing so is also available from the HCT.
Who or what is the HCT?
The Herpetological Conservation Trust is a UK based charity and charitable company established to further the conservation of amphibians and reptiles.
The HCT can be contacted here ... http://www.herpconstrust.org.uk/details.htm
How is SWWARG funded?
SWWARG is a non-profit making conservation group, and relies on money from the collective membership fees of its members as well as donations to pursue its objectives. Funding for specific projects (such as pond creation for example) can also be accessed by the group. Previous project funders include the Countryside Council of Wales, the Tidy Towns Grant Scheme and the ARGUK 100% fund.
On occasion, SWWARG committee members have been able to earn money for the group by contributing some of their time to conferences or by providing training or text and images for local authority booklets or publications, which raise awareness regarding amphibians and reptiles. Monies received as a result of payments for such services are also directed straight towards achieving SWWARG objectives.
I have a question regarding a pet reptile or amphibian. Can you help me?
SWWARG is only concerned with the conservation of our native amphibians and reptiles, and cannot give advice on the captive care of animals. We do however wish that any captive amphibian or reptile received the best possible care. We would suggest as a starting point that you visit www.captivebred.co.uk/forum which is a discussion forum where keepers of captive amphibians and reptiles pool their knowledge and where somebody will be only too happy to answer your questions. Another website worthwhile visiting is Terry Thatcher`s, http://www.crislis.co.uk/thatcher/index.php a very experienced reptile keeper.
Why do you cut trees and bushes down sometimes?
Due to afforestation (the planting of trees in an area that did not previously hold forest) large areas of amphibian and reptile habitat have been lost. Sometimes, this is orchestrated such as the case with the planting of non-indigenous pine trees in an attempt to provide cheap timber. Sometimes it is a semi-natural process.
In either case, the cycle of events which under natural circumstances would allow fresh areas of habitat to develop has been lost. This is nearly always due to human pressure of one kind or another and as a result the only way to restore habitat in such instances is by human intervention.
Although such areas of afforestation may well be perceived as natural and beautiful to the uninformed eyes of visitors escaping the “rat race”, beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder. Large areas of afforestation or hillsides covered in colourful bushes are almost invariably due to invasion of alien species such as pine trees or rhododendron bushes. Look past the “beauty”. Walk a little closer in the case of a pine forest for instance and you will both see and hear that within the dark depths of the alien Pine forest or Rhodendron jungle that there is an almost complete lack of life. There is nothing there that our native species can utilize other than a little shelter from rain in the case of deer.
Therefore we cut trees down in such instances as described in order to allow the habitat to restore to its truly natural state thereby providing homes to wildlife of many forms and not just amphibians and reptiles. There is a long list of beautiful and rare animal species that benefit directly forest clearings including birds, mammals and invertebrates as well as a diversification of plant species. Some native trees are always left standing of course as they are an important part of the natural balance.
How can I encourage amphibians and reptiles to use my garden?
There are many ways in which you can improve areas of your garden for amphibians and reptiles to make use of. Leaving areas of uncut grass, putting in a wildlife pond or even something as simple as not burning all of the logs or brash that result from gardening work but keeping some in a quiet corner to rot naturally as a habitat pile can benefit amphibians and reptiles. The larger the area, the more likely it is that reptiles may take advantage of the habitat. Then needs of widespread amphibian species can be catered for in surprisingly small areas however. To find out more, check out the “How to…” section of this website here.
How can I discourage amphibians and reptiles from using my garden?
Not everyone wants to share their garden with amphibians or reptiles however. If you class yourself as a person within this category, then keeping the grass cut short, and not leaving piles of grass cuttings, logs or rubble about will keep conditions inhospitable to amphibians and reptiles. Take any discarded objects such as metal sheeting to your recycling centre as soon as you can, or if you cannot straight away, then store them upright, leant up against a wall. Leaving discarded metal sheets left lying around in overgrown areas of the garden provides ideal shelter and is likely to attract amphibians and reptiles.
