Grass Snakes feed primarily on amphibians and fish – if you have a pond then this will help to attract them. Grass snakes populations have declined in the UK, but they may occasionally venture into gardens, particularly those with a fish pond. If you find a live grass snake in netting, place a towel over the snake and cut it free leaving plenty of room. I assumed garter snakes were not venomous because of this, and when I read up on them last (when I was younger), they were not known to be venomous at all at the time. Give garter snakes plenty of support. Although grass snakes (Natrix natrix) are known to take the occasional fish, they really don’t often make up much of their diet. Instead of trying to capture the snake, it's a safer to capture a photograph of it. Some snakes are still highly venomous even without fangs (such as the coral snake, which one should NEVER handle), but most snakes without them cannot effectively inject venom. Females lay eggs in June or July, normally in rotting vegetation (including garden compost heaps) which acts as an incubator. They may slide or crawl over your hands, but may also fall. Try to maintain varying heights of vegetation, log/stone piles and a compost heap which can be used by both.
Whenever you find a snake, take a picture of it to bring back a nice reminder of your search. 3.
Take it to a wildlife rescue who will know how to save it. If you remove the netting completely it’ll leave cuts which may get infected and lead to a slow, painful death. How to catch snakes - Before you figure out how to catch snakes, you need to ask yourself why you want to catch snakes. As for adders I stand corrected. The Ultimate Guide To Grass Snakes! Grass Snakes typically emerge from hibernation in March or April and spend the first few days close to the hibernaculum.
Must release after a few minutes! Frogs are a much more typical item on their menu, and if your immediate vicinity is supporting the population of these reptiles that the number of incursions into your pond would suggest, I expect there are plenty of frogs around to feed them. If you are inadvertently providing a grass snake nursery, it might go a long way towards explaining the numbers you’re seeing. How to Trap a Snake. Be … Snakes are very helpful around a home no matter how much a homeowner wants to deny the fact. The grass snake is the largest of the three and as such will also eat small mammals and being a good swimmer will also take a variety of amphibious prey such as frogs, newts and small fish. Warning: Some grass snakes actually play dead, if they get extremely scared with your catch - they go all limp, and open their mouth. Don’t be scared – this guide will give you all the information you need about grass snakes, including what to do if you’re lucky enough to spot one. I suggest trying to purchase a captive bred snake, if you want a pet. Protection. Snakes keep insect and rodent populations down, and prevent infestations in your home from animals that would do significant damage. How to Safely Catch a Snake: If you're looking for some cowboy celebrity stunt of grabbing snakes out of trees and so on, you're in the wrong place. As its name suggests, the Grass Snake favours damp areas with long grass… Adders, grass snakes, slow worms and common lizards are exempted in writing from the habitat disturbance, catching and keeping parts of the law. Grass Snakes enjoy similar habitats to amphibians so if you have frogs in the garden you may see Grass Snakes too. You really shouldn't be taking animals out of the wild to place into captivity though. Grass snakes are totally harmless, but it’s fair to say the majority of us would be shocked and scared to see one swimming across the pond or disappearing into the flower border. This may be harder, since they can slip out of your hands, but it’s possible to catch a garter snake by hand. Grass snakes are protected by law in Great Britain. Grass snakes habitats are in woods/forests. They will then move away in search of food and a mate, with mating itself taking place in April or May. Go to a field with a lot of tall grass and wait patiently for one to cross your path. Having said all of that, unless you really are certain that they are eating your fish – or you simply can’t abide snakes – there’s a lot to be said for accepting them as part of the scenery and enjoying their visits. If there's a snake hanging around your garden, basement or chicken coop, trapping it and releasing it somewhere else is an effective and humane way to handle the situation.