Species records needed

Following on from our hunt for slow worm (Anguis fragilis) sightings campaign of the last two years, this spring and summer we would like you to send us your snake sightings!

There are only three species of snake found in the UK and only two of which, the Adder (Vipera berus) and the Grass snake (Natrix natrix), are found in Brecknock. The smooth snake (Coronella austriaca) is confined to heath land in Southern England counties.

The grass snake is Britain’s longest snake and can grow to well over a meter in length. The colour of their bodies can vary from olive green to grey. They have a distinctive yellow and black collar around their neck with black bars down the sides of their body and a black and white chequered pattern on their bellies.

Grass snakes spend the winter in hibernation and emerge in March to April to mate and lay their eggs in June or July. Grass snakes feed primarily on fish and amphibians and can occasionally venture into garden ponds in the summer months, open compost heaps are attractive places in which female snakes can lay their eggs.

Grass snakes are non-venomous and timid and will move off quickly when disturbed. If cornered they can feign death by going limp with their mouth open and tongue hanging out.

The adder is the only venomous snake in the British Isles. It does not grow as long as the grass snake and is easily recognisable by its zigzag camouflage pattern along its back. There is also a row of spots along its side and a ‘v’ or ‘x’ shape on the head. Male and female adders can be distinguished by their colour. The male adder has a grey to silvery white with a black or dark brown zigzag whereas a female adder has a brick red to dark brown background colour with a dark brown zigzag.

Earlier to emerge from hibernation than the grass snake, male adders can come out as early as February which gives them time to condition themselves for the emergence of the females and the resultant combat and mating. Unlike grass snakes adders incubate their eggs internally and will give birth to live young in August or September.

Adders like to live in fairly open habitats such as scrub covered hillsides, commons, heath lands and woodland rides especially those with a south/south easterly aspect. Adders feed largely on small mammals such as voles and mice with amphibians, lizards and very occasionally birds making up the rest of their diet.

Adders are not aggressive snakes despite being venomous. If disturbed the snake will generally retreat to the nearest cover, bites usually only occur whenever adders are stepped on, trapped or threatened fortunately this is a rare occurrence.

Here at the Trust we are interested in finding out what the local picture is for these snakes. In the last five years there have only been four records of grass snakes and two records of an adder. I am convinced that snakes are generally under recorded in this area. If you have seen a snake or happen to observe one this spring please send an e-mail to [email protected] giving a description of the species, where you saw it (preferably with a grid reference), the date you saw it and your name and address. It would be very useful to have a photograph of the animal but only if you feel it is safe to do so.

If you wish to know more about snakes and reptiles in general the following web links may be useful:

The Amphibian & Reptile Conservation Trust

Add an Adder Campaign