Grass Snake

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Grass Snake

Grass Snake

The Grass Snake (Natrix natrix) is one of the few species of snake that are native to Wales. It is non-venomous, often found near water and feeds almost exclusively on amphibians. This particular individual was found of Cors Fochno in the Cambrian Mountains. (September 2009).
Nanuls
on Sep 13, 2009 1:37 pm
Lat/Lon: 52.50995°N / 4.00915°W
Image Type(s): Wildlife
Image ID: 552722

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daveyboy

daveyboy - Sep 15, 2009 5:01 am - Voted 10/10

Nice picture:

As you know I like snake pictures because of my two Adder ones. Was this snake being held when the shot was taken...?

Nanuls

Nanuls - Sep 15, 2009 9:33 am - Hasn't voted

Re: Nice picture:

Thanks David. Yes it is being held - by a licensed reptile surveyor I might add - you're not supposed to just go around picking up snakes (this photo shows things a bit better - grass snake). This photo, along with several others, is being used as an identifier for the animal as part of a reptile survey by Swansea University.

I wouldn't recommend picking up grass snakes though, one of their defence mechanisms is to eject the contents of their stomach onto their aggressor... which is obviously very unpleasant.

daveyboy

daveyboy - Sep 15, 2009 3:04 pm - Voted 10/10

Re: Nice picture:

When they eject the contents of their stomach it smells very nasty and is very difficult to get rid of. I learnt this lesson many years ago when I was young and use to catch snakes, lizards and slow worms in our local scrub land.
Cheers - David.

lcarreau

lcarreau - Sep 18, 2009 12:45 am - Voted 10/10

Re: Nice picture:

Interesting.

The immortal rock band "Pink Floyd" never did
an album or single on snakes.

When I look at this Grass snake, I feel myself being "slowly hypnotized" into a
trance, where demons dance and fade into
oblivion.

Nice snake, Dan.

Nanuls

Nanuls - Sep 21, 2009 4:35 am - Hasn't voted

Re: Nice picture:

You went out to catch grass snakes! Oh dear! Did you ever catch any smooth snakes down there? Or don't they live in Kent?

Nanuls

Nanuls - Sep 21, 2009 4:37 am - Hasn't voted

Re: Nice picture:

Cheers Larry, he's got a magenetic quality about him hasn't he? A beautiful little creature.

lcarreau

lcarreau - Sep 21, 2009 10:21 am - Voted 10/10

Re: Nice picture:

Yeh, but I still can't figure out WHY they
drove all the snakes out of Ireland on Saint
Patrick's Day.

: )))




daveyboy

daveyboy - Sep 27, 2009 5:04 am - Voted 10/10

Re: Nice picture:

I dont remember smooth snakes, but grass snakes, adders, common lizards and slow worms where very common then. It is just a shame they are now difficult to find.
The environment was perfect for the grass snakes where I use to live in Kent. A small village called Conyer on the edge of the Thames and Swale. Warm temperate climate and wet boggy marsh land with ditches.

Viewing: 1-8 of 8