What is a grass snake look like?

The grass snake is usually greenish in colour, with a yellow and black collar, pale belly, and dark markings down the sides. Females are bigger than males.

Is a grass snake poisonous?

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

How big does a grass snake get?

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 the difference between an 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.

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.

The amazing grass snake

Can grass snakes bite you?

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.

Are grass snakes protected?

Scientists say the common or eastern grass snake, Natrix natrix, is actually called the barred grass snake, Natrix helvetica. Grass snakes are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act making it illegal to injure or kill them.

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.

How do I identify my snake?

Does a grass snake have fangs?

Predators include badgers, red foxes, domestic cats, hedgehogs and a number of birds; when caught, grass snakes hiss and release a foul-smelling substance from their anal gland. Although they may also strike with the head, they do not bite and are harmless to humans.

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.

Do 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.

Where do grass snakes hibernate?

October to March: Grass snakes' hibernation period is from October to March. During this time, they stay inactive underground in disused mammal burrows, compost heaps, rock piles or in deep leaf/bracken litter. Sometimes grass snakes and adders hibernate in the same hibernation sites.

Can I identify a snake by a picture?

Just snap a photo, trace the shape of the snake with your finger, then enter where and when you found the reptile. In a matter of seconds, you'll know what kind of snake it is, and also provide connections to immediate resources, fire departments, or other emergency information.

How do you tell a poisonous snake from a non poisonous snake?

The biggest one is that only venomous snakes have triangular heads when most snakes have triangular heads. Another is that venomous snakes have a distinct color or pattern on their scales. Lots of harmless snakes have distinct patterns and colors, and there are even a few venomous ones that don't have any pattern.

Is there a snake identification app?

Snake ID is a mobile application that uses photo identification to help identify unknown snakes, and teach us about the uses and benefits these animals provide to our eco-system. Built for everyone from an avid snake enthusiast, to anyone just interested in learning more about all snake species.

What attracts snakes to your house?

Snakes enter a building because they're lured in by dark, damp, cool areas or in search of small animals, like rats and mice, for food. Snakes can be discouraged from entering a home in several ways. Keeping the vegetation around the house cut short can make the home less attractive to small animals and snakes.

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.

What can you put in your yard to keep snakes away?

Use natural repellents

Natural repellents including sulfur, clove and cinnamon oil, and vinegar may help repel snakes. Pour these substances around the perimeter of your property, any place you have noticed snake activity.

How long do grass snakes live for?

Their lifespan in the wild is estimated at 15 years. The grass snake is a diurnal animal being active throughout the day, sometimes seen basking on trees in the lower branches or in a trunk fork.

Is a grass snake a garter snake?

garter snake, (genus Thamnophis), also called grass snake, any of about 35 species of nonvenomous North American snakes having a striped pattern suggesting a garter: typically, one or three longitudinal yellow to red stripes, between which are checkered blotches.

Do grass snakes rear up?

The grass snake is completely harmless to humans, but when threatened they can play dead, or rear up in a mock attack posture.