How big is a grass snake?

The grass snake, sometimes called the ringed snake or water snake, is a Eurasian non-venomous colubrid snake. It is often found near water and feeds almost exclusively on amphibians. The barred grass snake, Natrix helvetica, was split off as a separate species in 2017.

How big are grass snakes UK?

Grass snakes can grow to a maximum length of around 180cm, making it our largest native terrestrial reptiles. However they rarely reach this maximum size. The snakes do however regularly exceed lengths of one metre, with the females being larger than males.

What is the average size of a grass snake?

Common name – grass snake. Scientific name – natrix natrix helvetica. Size – adult grass snakes can grow to lengths of 120cm, but 80-100cm is average.

Is a grass snake poisonous?

Grass snakes are non venomous and pose no threat to humans.

How can you tell the difference between a adder and a grass snake?

Grass snakes do not have the dark zigzag down their backs like adders, making them easy to tell apart. Grass snakes are grey-green coloured with black bars down their sides and a yellow and black 'collar' around the neck.

Film : "Unbelievable! large Grass snake" by Alex Sally

Do grass snakes bite?

Although the Grass Snake rarely bites, it can put on a seemingly aggressive defence if cornered, inflating the body, hissing loudly and striking with the mouth closed.

Do grass snakes live in holes?

These holes can be found embedded in grass, in piles of dirt or sand, or under piles of logs or sticks. Snake hole openings are circular but can range in diameter and depth due to the snake's size. There are a few things to look out for that can help determine if there are (or were) snakes living in the hole.

What do I do if I find a grass snake?

Bring pets and children indoors (if the snake is still around), as they are the most at risk. Allow the snake to move through the garden – carefully note patterns down the back or along the sides, the colour and size; check identification again – it is much more likely to be a Grass Snake or Slow-Worm.

Where do grass snakes nest?

Grass snakes are Britain's only egg-laying snake. Females lay eggs in June or July, normally in rotting vegetation (including garden compost heaps) which acts as an incubator.

Can grass snakes climb walls?

Snakes normally can climb brick walls and stone walls but are challenged by smooth surfaces, without any crevices like concrete walls, plastered or wallpapered walls, glass or metal walls because snakes can't “stick” to surfaces the way rodents and insects often can.

Can grass snakes bite dogs?

While grass snakes are on the larger side, they are less likely to pose a threat to your pet as they are not venomous. If attacked they are more prone to deterring predators by releasing foul-smelling secretions. However, if they are backed into a corner, there is a chance that they will bite.

Do grass snakes eat mice?

Grass snakes will consume juvenile chicks like moorhens to supplement their diets. Female grass snakes occasionally feed on mice and voles more than males, but on rare occasions. Baby grass snakes, otherwise known as hatchlings or neonates, feed on tadpoles, small fish, and new generations of frogs and toads.

Can I keep a grass snake as a pet?

Grass snakes, as with most pets, require a clean environment to thrive. We recommend a spot clean as often as possible (every day) and a full clean every 4 weeks or so. If you are keeping the snake in a bio-active enclosure you can spot clean and monitor the enclosure.

Are grass snakes bigger than adders?

Adders are much smaller than the grass snake, only measuring up to around 60cm (2 ft) in length. They have a dull mottled colour making them difficult to spot amongst vegetation, twigs and stones, but their continuous, dark zig-zag stripe down the back is a tell-tale marking.

What is the difference between a slow worm and a grass snake?

Both snakes and slow worms shed their skin as they grow. But unlike snakes, slow worms shed their skin in patches rather than all in one go. So if you spot smaller pieces of reptile skin, it probably belonged to a slow worm rather than a snake.

What do adders look like UK?

The adder is a greyish snake, with a dark and very distinct zig-zag pattern down its back, and a red eye. Males tend to be more silvery-grey in colour, while females are more light or reddish-brown. Black (melanistic) forms are sometimes spotted.

Do grass snakes live in groups?

Captive grass snake will take live earthworms offered by hand, but not dead prey items. The mating season brings grass snakes together in large groups, usually a few females to a much larger group of males.

Do grass snakes teeth?

They eat mice and voles but only rarely. The recurved small teeth of the grass snake form two rows in the upper jaw and one row on the dentary (Fig.

What do grass snakes smell like?

To complete the illusion they excrete a pungent musk to smell like a rotting corpse. A captured grass snake will also release this musk along with a squirt of excrement, wrapping around the attacker to slather the smelly liquid.

How do grass snakes get in the house?

Because snakes cannot chew or dig, they must gain entrance through small holes and cracks. Depending on their size, snakes may even be able to slither under gaps in doors. Once inside, snakes travel throughout houses inside walls, pipes, and around trusses.

How do you attract grass snakes?

Clearly to attract grass snakes a wildlife pond is a good idea but we should also aim to attract as much insect life as possible. To this end a mixture of native wildflowers is a good idea, these should be grown in a sheltered sunny area of the garden. Cultivated flowers rich in nectar are also good for insects.

How common are grass snakes in UK?

This snake is mainly found in lowland areas of Britain, being particularly frequent in some areas of the south and south east of England. In Leicestershire and Rutland it is widespread; frequent in river valleys, canals and around Rutland Water.

What month do snakes come out?

Do snakes come out in the fall? Snake activity picks up as temperatures fall in late summer and early autumn before they go into hibernation, which can be as early as September or as late as December. On warm days, snakes in brumation sometimes come out of their dens to bask in the sunshine.

Do moth balls keep snakes away?

Mothballs are commonly thought to repel snakes, but they are not intended to be used this way and have little effect on snakes.

How do you find a snake den?

Under porches and patios: Rattlesnakes try to avoid getting too close to humans, but they may find adequate shelter in hollows under your house's foundation, as well as under porches and patios. If there are cracks or crevices around the base of your house or porch, these could be entry areas for snake dens.