summergift.blogg.se - Constrictor snakes in england

Grass snakes like to hibernate in old rabbit warrens, holes in walls, or anywhere that’s sheltered and dry.

That’s usually from October to March but it’s entirely weather dependent. Throughout the winter, when it’s too cold for reptiles, all of our native snakes hibernate. You might see one lying in a sunny spot getting up enough energy for hunting – or maybe he’s just enjoying life, who knows! Grass snakes love basking in the sun to warm up. They are comfy in drier areas like hedgerows and woodlands too.

Grass snakes prefer damp areas with long grass, plenty of prey, and safe hiding places so they tend to favour areas close to ponds, rivers, ditches, and canals. It’s illegal to kill, injure, or sell them. Grass Snakes Are Protected By LawĪll native snakes and reptiles in the UK are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act. If he’s provoked even further, such as being picked up, he’ll release a disgusting fluid that really stinks. It’s an Oscar-worthy performance that convinces predators to leave him alone. He will lie on his back with mouth wide open and tongue hanging out. This is usually enough to terrify any human but may not put off an intrepid cat or dog. Grass snakes are capable of puffing up, hissing, and striking with a closed mouth. They’re harmless reptiles without venom or the ability to constrict, but they may put on a show if you threaten them. Snakes don’t blink, but slow worms do! Are Grass Snakes Dangerous? The best way to tell which is which, if you haven’t run a mile, is to watch and see if it blinks. Slow worms are often mistaken for snakes. It’s an amazing trick that helps them escape from predators. Their scales are smooth rather than overlapped, and they may drop 1/3 of their tail when scared. Slow worms are coloured bronze, grey, or brown and only reach 50cms fully grown. Is A Slow Worm A Grass Snake?Ī slow worm is just an odd name for a legless lizard. If you get close, and that isn’t recommended at all, they have a slit pupil instead of a round one like the harmless grass snake.īoth snakes are solitary animals and don’t gather in nests no matter what you’ve seen on Facebook viral videos. What’s The Difference Between A Grass Snake And An Adder?Īdders are poisonous and although their venom is meant for small rodents anyone bitten by an adder should see a doctor straight away.Īdders have a very distinctive V or X shape on their heads and a zigzag running down their length.

We’re still learning about these fascinating reptiles. It was only in 2017 that the barred grass snake became a distinct species in its own right.

Smooth snake: Coronella Austriaca – found in the heathlands of Dorset.

In fact, the last UK fatality from an adder was in 1975. That’s the adder and despite its scary reputation it’s pretty rare that people are bitten. They inhabit most of Europe, Central Asia and North Africa, but haven’t been found 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?īritain is home to four kinds of native snake, but only one of them is poisonous. They also have a yellow and black collar at the back of their heads. Grass snakes have round pupils and range in colour from green to brown with black stripes on their sides and a white belly. It’s a harmless snake that can reach over a metre in length and live for 25 years. Grass snakes are totally harmless, but it’s fair to say the majority of us would be shocked and scared to see one swimming across the pond or disappearing into the flower border.ĭon’t be scared – this guide will give you all the information you need about grass snakes, including what to do if you’re lucky enough to spot one.