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Health & Environmental Services

Tel: 03450 450 063

Fax: 01954 713149
Email to contact:
Health & Environmental services (This link will open in a new window)
Refuse service (This link will open in a new window)

Environmental FAQs

• How do I report an abandoned vehicle?
• What should I do if I find a stray dog?
• How do I find out about private land ownership?
• How do I complain about a nuisance?

• More environmental FAQs

Snakes

If you see a snake - Keep calm!

• Don't touch, catch or trap the snake but take a good look.
• Snakes are quite shy and usually flee from people.
• Grass snakes and slow-worms are harmless and often visit gardens, over wintering in compost heaps.
• Adders are venomous but normally pose little threat are rarely seen in gardens
• Smooth snakes are very rare and only a few thousand individuals are left in the wild.
• Try to identify the snake using the information and pictures provided below.
  

Snakes are protected by law

All snakes in the UK are protected under The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981: Schedule 5 and it is an offence to kill, injure or take a native snake.

Snakes in the garden

The RSPCA urges gardeners to ensure that netting, used to cover ponds or fruit and vegetables, is kept taut and checked daily. Using a mesh size of at least 4cm reduces the risk of wild animals, in particular snakes, becoming entangled. Snakes slither through netting looking for food such as frogs, toads or fish, but after eating they are fatter and often get stuck in the netting on their way out.

During the warmer weather, the RSPCA deals with dozens of calls regarding snakes. The rise in temperature in the spring wakes these reptiles after a state of reduced activity, similar to hibernation, and they become relatively active.

In the unlikely event of a snake bite:

• Try to keep the patient calm and stop them from moving the injured part of the body.
• Take the patient as quickly as possible to the nearest hospital for treatment.
• Do not try to suck out the poison or attempt any treatment yourself.
• You can contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 555 for more advice.

What snake can I see?

There are three native species (grass snake, adder and smooth snake) and one legless lizard (slow-worm), which is sometimes confused for a snake. Snakes are naturally shy creatures and because of their behaviour they are often feared by humans. There are also a number of exotic species that may have been released and survive in the wild.

Slow-worm Anguis fragilis
The slow-worm is often mistaken as a snake but in fact it is a lizard with no legs. Being smaller than most native snakes they may grow up to about 40 cm. Female and juvenile snakes tend to have a golden-brown background with a thin black line running along their back. Adult males tend to have a duller brown/grey background and usually lack the darker stripe.

Slow-worms are fairly widespread in the UK and are often found in grassland and heathland. They can be quite common in some urban/suburban areas and are most likely to be found in gardens and allotments.

They feed largely on slugs and are therefore useful visitors to our gardens. You will find them mainly underneath objects such as paving slabs or in compost heaps.

Grass snake Natrix natrix
This is the largest snake in the UK. It can grow up to 150cm but is more commonly around 75cm. It is normally a shade of green with short black vertical bars and/or spots running along its sides and sometimes along the back. There is a yellow or white coloured collar behind the head bordered to the rear with black markings.

Often found near water such as rivers, canals, ponds, as well as open grassland, woodland and quite often gardens near these habitats. Their life cycle includes a period of hibernation from October to March, often in compost heaps. Compost heaps in gardens may also be used as egg-laying sites. The young usually appear in late August and September. Grass snakes may visit your garden pond because they mainly feed on amphibians and fish but they are harmless to humans.

Adder Vipera berus
Adders typically grow to around 55 cm, with a distinctive zigzag pattern running along the length of their back. The female snakes are usually brown with dark brown markings and male snakes are normally grey or buff with black markings. Their main habitat is rough grassland and heathland. Adders do not lay eggs or make nests.

They are the only venomous snake in the British Isles but because the venom is designed to kill small animals like voles it is not particularly potent. You are more likely to be harmed by bees or horses. However, if an adder bites you it is advisable to seek medical assistance immediately.

Smooth snake Coronella austriaca
Smooth snakes are slender and normally grow to around 55 cm. They are grey or grey-brown with darker markings along their back and usually a 'butterfly' shape on the top of their head.

Smooth snakes are now very rare in the UK but can be found in heathland habitats. It would be very uncommon to find a smooth snake in your garden. They are very secretive and would normally be found underneath objects.

Exotic species

Non-native snake species, either accidentally or escaped pets, may be encountered. These can be a variety of colours and sizes and common example is a corn snake. If you see a snake that you cannot identify from the list above, contact the RSPCA for assistance on 0300 1234 555.

The photos provided on this page have been kindly supplied by www.froglife.org/ (This link will open in a new window).