Longstone Ope
(Dorset)

Closest Town:

FORTUNESWELL (2.5 km)

Introduction date:

Probably early 1990s

Site Name:

Longstone Ope

Source of introduction:

Captive bred stock, released by a private breeder. Original stock believed to have been imported from Brittany (France) in 1982.

Site Access:

Public

Colony Status:

Extant

Relative population estimate:

477

Extirpation date:

N/a

Almost adjectent to the Cheyne Weare colony on the Portland pennisular, this sea-cliff site is not believed to yet be contiguous with the Cheyne Weare colony.

The Portland area has historically been poor in terms of reptile numbers. The only reptiles present on the Island which may find themselves in direct competition with the introduced Wall lizards are the native Common lizards. Provided that the Wall li

Longstone Ope is a disused quarry, set within the sea cliffs on the South East of the Portland peninsular. This colony is situated both within the quarry and on the sea cliffs that straddle the coastal path. Micro habitat includes sparse vegetation, brambles and vines with an abundance of open basking spots.. There are a large number of of thin rocks strewn across the quarry floor, and it it here that is it supposed the lizards lay their eggs.

The animals within Longstone Ope are the brown-backed form, suggesting that the original stock was sourced in Western France.