UK and where to find snakes and how to catch them

[rachel132002]

I have my summer holidays coming up and it's quite warm and humid so i'm guessing a good time to look for snakes, obviously we only have stuff like grass snakes and adders and slow worms and i think i should be good avoiding adders so long as im away from water, i was wondering exactly what kind of terrain should i begin looking in and when i see a snake is it best just to try and grab it or is there a way to get them without scaring the poop out of them? Also are there any other tpyes of snakes here i haven't veer heard of any other types but that doesn't mean there aren't. I also heard of people measuring snakes and how exactly do you do this because snakes don't exactly stay straight for a few seconds for you to measure them lol!

Rach:cool:

[Rachel]

To measure, I'd use a piece of string but it'd still be difficult with a wriggly snake. As for finding them, up here the best place is in heather marshes. Not sure if you have anything like that near you?

[rachel132002]

I have one area that is all grass in summer and by a lake it takes about 1/2hour to walk to that spot because its quite awkward to get to so d'ya think that could be a good place? Or there's the grass near the rail line (other side of the fence to the track so u know i dont have a death wish) and there used to be LOADS of slowworms and lizards there so watcha think and what's a good way to spot them, i htink that'll be my main object!

Rach

[elrojo]

The way I used to catch many as a kid was to bring pieces of tin into the woods or fields with me, lay them out in partial sun, scatter some pine needles or leaves over top, and check them from time to time. It still works, I just don't check often or have much in this area I want to keep. Another idea is to turn over logs, rotten wood, stones, etc., just be sure to put them back like you found them to preserve habitiat. I've found many a snake under loose bark, too - especially scarlet kings and young corns. BTW- hot and humid summer isn't the best time to search; spring is. During the heat of the summer, riding roads at night can work. Good luck!:)

[EtherRex]

Adders arent just found near water. I used to live in a very dry sandy area of Norfolk. Saw lots of Adders in all types of flora. From gorse bushes to woods and along the edges of open fields. IMHO you are more likely to find grass snakes near water.

Abandoned farm machinery in hard to reach paddocks is a favourite haunt of adders and slow worms. Ive also found them under sheets of corrugated iron as stated above.

[rachel132002]

Hmm I don't particularly want to find adders if I can help it and if I do I'll be sure to leave them well alone but just on the remote chance i found one and (hypothetically speaking) it did strike and get me what's the worst that can happen cuz i heard something saying they dont do toooo much and others saying they can be VERY dangerous - obviously I'd get some medical help asap but just from curiosity.


Rach

[mattsnake]

I find alot of common garters and sometimes a milksnake underneath rocks on this big rocky hill. It's very close to a stream and a little pond to.:)

[Rachel]

Rach, if you get bitten by an adder you would need medical attention asap. Of course it depends on how bad the bite was, the only experience I have had of adders is one biting my horse and that was bad enough. the bite wasn't a 'serious' one according to the vet but the swelling was immense and a small ulcer formed in the centre of the swelling. I've heard that bites on humans cause a more severe reaction and can cause gangrene if left untreated. So good luck!! ;)

[madmatt]

Well to give you a rough idea, my friends dog was bitten by an adder and died that night at the vets :-(

I also have a question....now i realize this thread is really old, but i thought there is no point creating a new one as my question is about catching snakes in the UK too....

Every spring/summer, we get lots of grass snake hatchlings in the garden. I normally catch them for a little while, watch them then release them again.

Would it be possible to catch one and keep it? How would you care for it/what would you feed it etc?

I have heard of people keeping grass snakes before, but because it's not common, there isn't any info on it.

Thanks!

[elrojo]

My understanding is that grass snakes are closely related to garter and ribbon snakes in the US. Try earthworms, insects (esp. crickets), and even small minnows. Best of luck.

[madmatt]

OK, thanks a lot.

[colinmcc]

Hmmm.

Don't know that a grass snake would make the best of pets. They're not know for having the best of temperaments. Maybe if you had it from hatchling stage and handled it regularly you might be OK. Bear in mind, a full grown adult can hit 6 foot and they musk .... lovely.

Info ... http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/278.shtml

The one that always gets forgotten in the UK is the Smooth Snake.

Info ... http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/280.shtml

They are also rare, if not endangered, in the UK so on the off chance you do happen to spot one, best to look and leave.

Oh, and if you want to find Slow Worms .... build a compost heap. They love 'em. :)

Plus, if you happen to get one living in said compost heap, it eats snails and slugs and other stuff you don't want in your garden.

[madmatt]

On second thoughts, i could just catch a hatchling a keep it for a little while again :-)

[StubbyUK]

Um, not to rain an anyone's parade's re catching snakes in the UK, but they are protected species by law and its illegal to disturb them I believe...

My local wildlife group runs occassional 'reptile days' that are a good way to see native reptiles, it might be worth looking in to.

StubbyUK

[colinmcc]

I kinda thought that as well but the info on that BBC sheet says ...

"Grass snakes are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 from being killed, injured or sold."

... nothing about removing from the wild to keep as a pet ... as long as you't do any of the above once you've caught it.

Still wouldn't want one as a pet myself mind you .......

[StubbyUK]

Yep, I stand corrected on the grass snake front, its sand lizards and smooth snakes that get the full protection...

Section 9 prohibits the intentional killing, injuring or taking, the possession and the trade in wild animals listed on Schedule 5. In addition, places used for shelter and protection are safeguarded against intentional damage, destruction and obstruction and animals protected under the relevant part of Section 9 must not intentionally be disturbed whilst occupying those places.

Grass snake protection is as you said :)

StubbyUK

[madmatt]

Thanks for letting me know.

I have decided it's not a good idea anyway.

:-)

[StubbyUK]

Try googling your local Wildlife Trust...I had a really good day out with the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire (http://www.wildlifebcnp.org/). A guide took us out to some good spots and we saw slow worms, common lizards and some adders. He did show us where a grass snake sometimes hung out, but it wasn't at home, lol.

StubbyUK

[lozzer]

Its illegal to cath any native reptiles in the UK.I maybe wrong but that's what ive been told by many wildlife people.

[cornmorphs]

i would hink you're right there lozzer mate

[NI GUY]

Its illegal to cath any native reptiles in the UK.I maybe wrong but that's what ive been told by many wildlife people.


Ya think you are right mate in some species.Take a look at this pls.

http://www.threadnaught.net/~caleb/uklaw.html

[Quidam]

From what I gather from my Conservation module, adder bites on humans very rarely cause death etc. in healthy humans. Old, young and ill people are at far greater risk, and the incidence of treatable bites has increased over the last 100yrs due to improvements in medical advancements - if you're interested I can give you some figures on bites over the last 100yrs? (I don't have them with me as I don't have internet access at home).

[Quidam]

I kinda thought that as well but the info on that BBC sheet says ...

"Grass snakes are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 from being killed, injured or sold."

... nothing about removing from the wild to keep as a pet ... as long as you't do any of the above once you've caught it.

Still wouldn't want one as a pet myself mind you .......

I guess the problem with taking them from their environment is that it still affects the overall genetic integrity of the wild ones if done in excess - it's not as drastic as killing, but it may reduce the gene pool and in alarmist terms may result in genetic bottlenecks. Although it could be argued that by removing them from their habitat you're reducing the risk of them being killed - but now I'm making my brain hurt so I'm going to stop there!