Grass snakes are entirely harmless , but it ’s comely to say the majority of us would be appal and frightened to see one swim across the pond or disappearing into the bloom margin .
Do n’t be scared – this guide will give you all the information you need about grass snakes , include what to do if you ’re favourable enough to descry one .
What Is A Grass Snake?
It ’s a harmless snake that can reach over a meter in duration and endure for 25 years .
Grass Snake River have circular pupils and kitchen range in colouration from green to brown with black bar on their side and a blank belly . They also have a yellow and fateful neckband at the back of their heads .
They populate most of Europe , Central Asia and North Africa , but have n’t been discover in Scotland , Northern Ireland , and most of the Channel Islands – which may come as a relief to some of you !
What Snakes Are There In Britain?
Britain is home to four sort of native snake , but only one of them is poisonous . That ’s the common viper and despite its scary reputation it ’s pretty rare that people are sting . In fact , the last UK fatality from an adder was in 1975 .
Here are our slippery friends :
It was only in 2017 that the barred grass snake in the grass became a distinguishable mintage in its own rightfield . We ’re still get word about these fascinating reptiles .
What’s The Difference Between A Grass Snake And An Adder?
Adders are venomous and although their venom is meant for small gnawer anyone bitten by an adder should see a doctor straight away .
Adders have a very typical atomic number 23 or 10 form on their heads and a zig lead down their length . If you get close , and that is n’t recommended at all , they have a slit pupil rather of a round one like the harmless pasturage snake .
Both snake in the grass are lonely animals and do n’t pull together in nests no matter what you ’ve seen on Facebook viral videos .
Is A Slow Worm A Grass Snake?
No , they are totally different coinage .
A slow worm is just an leftover name for a legless lizard . It ’s not a snake ( or a louse ) at all .
Slow worm are color in bronze , greyness , or brown and only reach 50cms amply grown . Their scales are smooth rather than overlapped , and they may drop 1/3 of their bottom when scared . It ’s an awing trick that helps them escape from marauder .
Slow worm are often false for snakes . The best way to tell which is which , if you have n’t course a mile , is to watch and see if it blink . Snakes do n’t wink , but slow worms do !
Are Grass Snakes Dangerous?
Not at all . They ’re harmless reptile without venom or the ability to constrict , but they may put on a show if you jeopardize them .
Grass snakes are up to of puffing up , hissing , and striking with a closed oral fissure . This is usually enough to terrorize any man but may not put off an dauntless cat or dog .
In this vitrine the snake will play dead . He will lie on his back with mouth widely open and natural language hanging out . It ’s an Oscar - worthy carrying into action that convert predatory animal to leave him alone .
If he ’s provoked even further , such as being picked up , he ’ll release a disgusting fluid that really stink .
Grass Snakes Are Protected By Law
All native snakes and reptilian in the UK are protect by the Wildlife and Countryside Act . It ’s illegal to bolt down , injure , or deal them .
Where Do They Live?
locoweed snakes prefer dampish area with foresightful grass , plenty of prey , and safe concealment places so they tend to favour area near to ponds , rivers , ditch , and canals . They are comfortable in drier areas like hedge and woodlands too .
Grass snakes love basking in the sun to warm up up . You might see one lie in a cheery spot stupefy up enough energy for hunting – or perchance he ’s just enjoying life , who knows !
Throughout the wintertime , when it ’s too inhuman for reptiles , all of our native snakes hibernate . That ’s usually from October to March but it ’s wholly weather dependant . Grass snakes like to hole up in old rabbit warrens , hole in bulwark , or anywhere that ’s shelter and dry .
Do Grass Snakes Lay Eggs?
Grass snakes lie testicle around April before long after waking from hibernation .
Their nut are creamy - white leathery oval rather than the heavily - shell chicken eggs we ’re used to seeing .
The best spot for a mother to leave her eggs is inside a compost heap , beneath rotting folio , or tucked within a maze of riverside reeds . It ’s because decomposing plant life affair create rut , and heat helps hatch those egg efficaciously .
A female can lay 30 - 40 testicle if it ’s a warm give and her baby snakes incubate out ten weeks later looking just like pencil .
In contrast , adders do n’t lie eggs but cover them internally . If you receive eggs in your compost mound , they will be harmless grass snake eggs . Do the genial affair and pull up stakes them alone .
What Do They Eat?
Grass snake hunt on land and piss taking whatever is seasonally available .
In spring they catch fish , pollywog , and even pucker into frogspawn . During the summertime salientian and salientian are their main prey along with newts . Any amphibians are sightly game ! Mary Jane snakes will also run vole and mice if the departure amaze elusive .
Because their pet meal is a frog agarden pondis a with child way to attract them , especially in spring when Hydra wake up from hibernation and experience particularly hungry .
Here ’s an interesting man of inquiry . Wildlife experts think an adult grass serpent can manage on just ten anuran a year . That establish them incredible animals capable of surviving hot summers and moth-eaten winters .
Do They Have Any Predators?
Yes , quite a few animals prey on Gunter Grass snakes .
Predators include dog , true cat , foxes , weasels , mink coat , badgers , large doll such as herons , crows , magpies , and domesticated chickens . Even the humble hedgehog will snack on a grass snake .
It seems odd to think a favorable hog could attack and wipe out a large snake , but Mrs Tiggy - Winkle is furious and a pasture snake is too good a meal to pass up .
Alongside predators there are other danger out there for locoweed snakes . Our roads exact plenty of casualties , but the main source of harm is clear .
Grass snakes can pinch their pass through gaps in veiling , but their fatter bodies get stuck tight . They ca n’t go backward and moving around to render and head for the hills just mire them further .
Netting causes life-time - ending tightness injuries . A beat grass snake caught in netting is a sad sight indeed .
Always pick up your old netting and check what ’s in use every mean solar day without fail . If you see a live grass snake in veiling , set a towel over the snake and cut it free leaving plenty of way . Take it to a wildlife rescue who will have it off how to save it .
If you remove the netting completely it ’ll leave cut which may get infected and lead to a slow , sore demise . This go for any wildlife you discover tangled in garden or football goal netting .
Perhaps you feel a fiddling gloomy for grass snake now ? I do !
What Should I Do If There’s A Grass Snake In My Garden?
With so many marauder on their case , it ’s a severe bash life for Miss Hiss to keep body and soul together .
All our native snake render to avoid human contact lens and who can blame them ?
If you ’re lucky enough to spot a ‘ snake ’ in your garden it ’s likely to be a irksome worm because they are more common , but if you hold up in a semi - rural sphere with a pond or retentive grass then do n’t be surprised to see a large green - brown snake extend by .
I ’ve spotted them in the late even around my pool – grass snakes are skillful bather and hunt in the weewee . It ’s always a shock to see them , but a nice shock !
If you spot one just leave it alone . Remember it ’s illegal to suffer them and it ’s belike just overstep through , totally afraid of you and just look for something to eat .
But I Want It Gone!
It ’s against the constabulary to harm UK snakes , but there are way to make your garden less likeable . Keep your grass brusque , make haphazardness , stave off compost mint , and do n’t have a pool .
I reckon that ’s a crying shame because they could n’t hurt you even if they tried , and if you have smoke snake squatters your outdoor space must be a wildlife haven . Not everyone can claim that .
I’ve Found A Weird Snake
Snake River are save as alien pets and they can take to the woods on occasion . Harmless corn Snake , which are usually red in colour , are famously known as ‘ the escape snake ’ . Plenty of people underprice snakes when they get world-weary with them too .
If you make out an unusual serpent seek to get a photo and call the RSPCA who may think it and scan for a microprocessor chip .
Why Not Support Our Native Grass Snake?
I go for this guide has facilitate you realise our native grass snake a piffling better . If you spot one there ’s no need for hiss - terics ( * groan * ) .
biography is punishing enough already for our wildlife what with home ground evaporate and food and water rootage shirking off .
You ’ve got to feel for our snakes – they are maligned , shout at , and called name calling like ‘ Stab Noodle ’ or ‘ Tube of last ’ but there ’s no pauperism to be rude !
Grass snake are just getting on with life like the rest of us . The best course of action at law is to stand back , admire , and provide them in peace .
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