New home for reptiles and amphibians in popular park

Published: 11 October 2022

Amphibians and reptiles just love Exeter’s valley parks, especially now with purpose-built homes being created to make them feel at home in the city.

The work has been carried out in Exeter’s Mincinglake Valley Park by the charity Devon Wildlife Trust on behalf of Exeter City Council who own the popular green space.

Devon Wildlife Trust’s nature reserves team has been busy building a hibernaculum in Mincinglake. The underground chamber, built up with stones, branches and soil, will help amphibians and reptiles protect themselves from the cold during the winter.

The hibernaculum has already welcomed its first reptile residents, moved into their new home by an experienced ecologist from a nearby development site. Mincinglake was the closest suitable green space for the reptiles, so hopefully they’ll be right at home!

Devon Wildlife Trust manage Exeter’s six valley parks on behalf of Exeter City Council.