Snake in the grass

[spandit]

Actually, it was in a willow tree but the dog pulled it out. Looks like the tail was already missing, but so glad it wasn't an adder:

 

[Stevie777]

Any idea what sort of snake...?

 

[spandit]

Grass snake, natrix natrix probably a male basking before mating. It's the 4th time I've seen one here, the 2nd time the dog has picked one up. I moved it into the undergrowth & checking back 10 minutes later it had gone so no harm done this time!

 

[Stevie777]

Never knew they grew as long and fat...I thought Grass snakes were tiny little things here...never saw a grass snake here in Scotland, must be too cold, Adders a plenty, well there used to be loads in and around Royal Troon and Prestwick Golf course back in the 70's and early 80's.

That is a pretty looking snake BTW,

 

[spandit]

They get to over 6' according to Wikipedia. Can well believe it, the last one my dog found was far bigger

 

[woof]

found one the other day, or to be precise the dog did, it was not happy & kept striking out at the dog.

Rob

 

[Mr.punch]

Seen a big one about four foot long swimming in our local ponds looked awesome wish I had a camera as my phone did not pick it out.

 

[Jack Bounder]

I've caught a couple by hand over the years. They don't bite (and are not venomous) and they're not constrictors but they do secrete a foul smelling liquid from their cloaca as a defense strategy. So don't pick them up unless you want sticky hands

I put one in a glass tank so I could take some rather nice, staged photos before putting it back in its pond. Unfortunately, these are on 35mm slides so I can't post them.