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.
How do you attract grass snakes?
Try to maintain varying heights of vegetation, log/stone piles and a compost heap which can be used by both. Grass Snakes feed primarily on amphibians and fish – if you have a pond then this will help to attract them. Like all reptiles, snakes need places to bask, forage and hibernate.
What to do if a grass snake bites you?
Don’t
- do not go near the snake, or try to catch or kill it.
- do not try to suck or cut the poison (venom) out of the bite.
- do not tie anything tightly round the part of the body where the bite is.
- do not take aspirin or ibuprofen, as they can make bleeding worse.
What kind of snake is a grass snake?
The British population of grass snake belongs to the distinct subspecies Natrix natrix helvetica, but new research published in August 2017 proposed that it should be elevated to full species status, with the name barred grass snake, Natrix helvetica.
How does a grass snake survive in the UK?
One of the reasons it can survive the British climate is due to the fact that it hibernates away from October through to March and April, thus staving off the times when the sun is at its weakest, allowing the snake to only come out when it can get enough energy from the sun to survive.
How big does a grass snake get in a garden?
They’re quite often seen in gardens, especially those with ponds which the snakes can hunt in. Grass Snakes are quite timid, often feigning death if disturbed; alternatively they may excrete a foul-smelling liquid. They are our longest native snake and can reach 150cm.
How long does it take for a grass snake to hatch?
Thanks to Ron Paterson for the photo. Grass Snakes mate and lay between ten and 40 eggs in Spring and incubate them in their burrows for around 10-12 weeks, once hatched the little snakes head off on their own with many becoming lunch for a wide range of animals, very few making it through to adult life.
How big do grass snakes get in length?
Most individuals measure between three and five feet in length. They typically weigh less than a pound. These common snakes live throughout a large region of Europe and into Asia. Learn what makes them unique below.
Where do grass snakes live in the wild?
Habitat of the Grass Snake. While not a rule, these snakes usually live in close proximity to streams, ponds, and lakes. In addition to these regions, they also live along the edges of forests and woodlands, grasslands, and even gardens. When winter arrives, they burrow under the ground to avoid freezing. Distribution of the Grass Snake
When does a grass snake hibernate in the UK?
Like all reptiles, grass snake hibernate, usually from October to April. The British population of grass snake belongs to the distinct subspecies Natrix natrix helvetica, but new research published in August 2017 proposed that it should be elevated to full species status, with the name barred grass snake, Natrix helvetica.
What kind of animal does a grass snake eat?
Grass snakes are extremely strong swimmers and they can often be seen swimming across bodies of open water, especially after they have been disturbed from basking nearby. What do grass snakes eat? A grass snake (in Germany) eating a frog. © Ralf Blechschmidt/Getty Being semi-aquatic grass snakes feed mostly on toads, frogs and newts.
