The grass snake is widely distributed in mainland Europe, ranging from mid Scandinavia to southern Italy. Captive snakes have been observed taking earthworms offered by hand, but dead prey items are never taken. A variety of hibernation sites may be used, provided they are warm and humid. Pond edges are also favoured and the relatively high chance of observing this secretive species in such areas may account for their perceived association with ponds and water. Adult grass snakes eat mostly amphibians, such as newts and frogs, and the occasional rodent. One tradition is to put a bowl of milk near a snake's place of residence, although there is no evidence of a grass snake ever drinking milk. This is when the snakes have to bask in the sun to generate warmth. When caught they often regurgitate the contents of their stomachs. It is also found in the Middle East and northwestern Africa. Read on to learn about the Grass Snake. [7] They may also perform an aggressive display in defence, hissing and striking without opening the mouth. Supposedly, snakes ate food given to them by hand. The grass snake (Natrix natrix), sometimes called the ringed snake or water snake, is a Eurasian non-venomous colubrid snake. It may even occur in gardens with ponds and plenty of vegetation.

The grass snake, a nonpoisonous snake that is not a threat to humans, hunts a number of foods for optimum growth. Even when threatened, grass snakes rarely bite, but may strike out with their head, keeping the mouth closed. Thus, they typically spend the winter underground where the temperature is relatively stable. Like all snakes, Grass Snakes are carnivores. True to its name, this species hunts and lives near water, and its favorite foods are toads and frogs.Read on to learn about the Grass Snake. Types of mushroom in the UK: common identification guide, When do pine cones fall? Some zoos house these snakes in their collections. The young are about 18 centimetres (7 in) long when they hatch and are immediately independent. Many subspecies are recognized, including:[2], Natrix natrix helvetica (Lacépède, 1789) was formerly treated as a subspecies, but following genetic analysis it was recognised in August 2017 as a separate species, Natrix helvetica, the barred grass snake. Habitat destruction poses the greatest problem to this species, followed by pollution, which impacts its amphibious prey. But on the other hand grass snakes will never eat dead prey. 1982873. [1], In the Baltic mythology, the grass snake (Lithuanian: žaltys, Latvian: zalktis) is seen as a sacred animal. Humans have not domesticated this species in any way. Often, the prey is still alive when swallowed. Only a minority of the young will reach adulthood, with many falling prey to predators such as herons, birds of prey, pheasants and even hedgehogs. [13], Today grass snakes hold a meaning of house blessing among many Latvians and Lithuanians. True to its name, this species hunts and lives near water, and its favorite foods are toads and frogs. Up to 40 eggs may be laid, hatching in late summer or early autumn. This may be a tactic to maximise sperm production, as the males mate with the females as soon as they emerge up to two weeks later in April, or earlier if environmental temperatures are favourable. Snakes which have recently eaten rarely move any significant distance and will stay in one location, basking to optimize their body temperature until the prey item has been digested. The snake will search actively for prey, often on the edges of the water, using sight and sense of smell (using Jacobson's organ). Often, the prey is still alive when swallowed. Two of the subspecies are considered critically endangered: N. n. cetti (Sardinian grass snake) and N. n. While not a rule, these snakes usually live in close proximity to streams, ponds, and lakes. In fact, while the population as a whole is stable, subspecies in certain regions face dire threats to their survival. Snakes will normally begin to hibernate in October or November, emerging in March or April. Over 70 species found in the UK, from all the native trees to the common non-natives. There is a lack of reliable information concerning the population trend of grass snakes in the UK. Grass snakes have a number of tactics to try to deter predators. Grass snakes are strong swimmers and may be found close to freshwater, although there is evidence individual snakes often do not need bodies of water throughout the entire season.[5]. The species can occur in a variety of habitats, including woodland, but is normally found close to water. As the outer skin wears and the snake grows, the new skin forms underneath the old, including the eye scales which may turn a milky blue/white colour at this time — referred to as being 'in blue'. However, frogs and toads make up the vast majority of this diet.

Their diet includes amphibians, small mammals, birds, insects, and fish. Ecdysis occurs at least once during the active season. The preferred habitat appears to be open woodland and "edge" habitat, such as field margins and woodland borders, as these may offer adequate refuge while still affording ample opportunity for thermoregulation through basking. If you disturb a snake, it’s worth quietly revisiting the spot as the same basking points are often used regularly. They rarely bite in defence. When winter arrives, they burrow under the ground to avoid freezing. The young are fully independent at hatching, and do not receive any maternal care. Most individuals measure between three and five feet in length. The barred grass snake, Natrix helvetica, was split off as a separate species in 2017. Once their food has digested, they continue moving about. Grass snakes prey mainly on amphibians, especially the common toad and the common frog, although they may also occasionally eat ants and larvae. Areas of rotting vegetation, such as compost heaps, are preferred locations. The species has various predator species, including corvids, storks, owls and perhaps other birds of prey, foxes, and the domestic cat. However they rarely reach this maximum size. However, you should never keep a wild snake as a pet. Your best chance of seeing a grass snake is to catch one basking in the morning sun. The Woodland Trust is a charity registered in England and Wales (No.

Eggs are normally laid in a sheltered location within rotting vegetation. Most also provide water sources for the snake to soak in, as their wild counterparts spend most of their time in close proximity to water. You can find these reptiles throughout most of Europe, with the exception of Ireland, northern portions of the U.K., and northern Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Diet: amphibians, fish, small mammals, birds. Grass snakes can grow to a maximum length of around 180cm, making it our largest native terrestrial reptiles. The Woodland Trust and Woodland Trust Nature Detectives logos are registered trademarks. Wild-caught pets can spread disease to captive populations, and vice versa. Images © protected Woodland Trust. These snakes are solitary, which means that they live alone. [3], The grass snake is typically dark green or brown in colour with a characteristic yellow collar behind the head, which explains the alternative name ringed snake. schweizeri. Want to plant 500+ trees on at least half a hectare? This article is about the European grass snake or ringed snake, Natrix natrix. Like most snakes, these creatures have long, slender bodies with smooth scales. Grass snakes in Britain were thought to belong to the subspecies N. n. helvetica but have been reclassified as the barred grass snake Natrix helvetica. Individual snakes may only need two or three significant prey items throughout an entire season.

Find out how to spot it, what it eats and how it breeds.

When threatened by one of its many predators, the grass snake often 'plays dead', perhaps making itself less appealing to eat. Four other subspecies were transferred from N. natrix to N. helvetica, becoming N. helvetica cettii, N. helvetica corsa, N. helvetica lanzai and N. helvetica sicula. With no venom, grass snakes rely on the element of surprise to hunt. These legless lizards can be identified by their shiny appearance and bullet-shaped head.

Common names: grass snake, barred grass snake, Habitat: wetland, woodland, farmland, grassland.

Grass snakes, as with most reptiles, are at the mercy of the thermal environment and need to overwinter in areas which are not subject to freezing. [12], Well-known literary works based on these traditions include Lithuanian folk tale Eglė the Queen of Serpents (Eglė žalčių karalienė) and the Latvian folk fairytale "The grass snake's bride" (Zalkša līgava). Britain’s longest snake, grass snakes can exceed a metre in length. These common snakes live throughout a large region of Europe and into Asia.

Clutches range in size, some contain 8 eggs while others contain up to 40. All photos used are royalty-free, and credits are included in the Alt tag of each image. The common lizard is a speedy little fella, often seen basking in the sun. This species breeds once it emerges from the ground in the spring.

Grass snakes are non venomous and pose no threat to humans. In some places, it is legal to own this species as a pet. They are also found on the Lielvārde Belt.[16]. Not to be confused with: the adder, which has a distinctive dark zigzag pattern along its back. In spite of the serpent's symbolic meaning as a symbol of evil in Christianity, in Latvia and Lithuania there were various folk beliefs, dating even to the late 19th century, that killing grass snakes might bring grave misfortune or that an injured snake will take revenge on the offender. Their range also extends into northern Africa, portions of the Middle East, and western Russia. Why do leaves change colour and fall off in autumn. They keep the snakes in large enclosures with plenty of space for them to hide. Grass snakes eat a significant amount of small rodents, such as rats and mice.

Grass snakes are lethal hunters of frogs, toads and other small creatures, but will rush for cover at the first sound of humans approaching. Autumn leaf identification quiz: can you identify these 10 trees? However, the fossil record shows that the extinct European cobra Naja romani occurs in Miocene-aged strata of France, Germany, Austria, Romania, and Ukraine and thus overlapped with Natrix species including the extinct Natrix longivertebrata, suggesting that the grass snake's behavioral mimicry of cobras is a fossil behavior, although it may protect against predatory birds which migrate to Africa for the winter and encounter cobras there.[8]. However, the species is fully protected by law, meaning it is illegal to deliberately kill or harm the snakes. After mating, the female lays her eggs in compost heaps or other piles of rotting vegetation. Another possible confusion species is the slow worm. Find out what it eats, where it lives and how it breeds. In Denmark it is protected,[9] as all five species of reptiles were protected in 1981. Grass snakes are the UK’s most common snake species. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Animals.NET aim to promote interest in nature and animals among children, as well as raise their awareness in conservation and environmental protection. Grass snakes display a rare defensive behavior involving raising the front of the body and flattening the head and neck so that it resembles a cobra's hood, although the geographic ranges of grass snakes and of cobras overlap very little. SC038885). 2296645), is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Woodland Trust. Additionally, when frightened they excrete an icky-smelling musk. The snakes do however regularly exceed lengths of one metre, with the females being larger than males. Credit: Louise Murray / Alamy Stock Photo.

Woodland Trust (Enterprises) Limited, registered in England (No. A snake will strike out and grab its unsuspecting prey, swallowing it whole. Virgil in his 29 BC Georgics (book III, lines 425-439: [1]) describes the grass snake as a large feared snake living in marshes in Calabria, eating frogs and fish. GB520 6111 04.