Snakes!

[Black Rabbit]

I sometimes see grass snakes swimming across the Sussex Ouse. My son and I recently found a large one under a sheet of corrugated metal at the end of the garden. Of course we put it in the laundry basket, which didn't it didn't seem to like much.

Video here:

 

 

You've got to be careful people. The grass snake (Natrix, natrix) is so heavily protected under the CAWA 1981. It's probably illegal to disturb them let alone pick them up, put them in a bucket etc and film them.

[poledark]

I've seen quite a few over the years, all over the south of England.

 

 

This is a few seconds of one at Wingham.

 

This one was having a confrontation with a swan....the swan backed off

 

Den

Edited October 8, 2010 by poledark

[chesters1]

not so many this year especially adders but seen some.

not sure adders bites are painful i spent 4 days in hospital after being bitten by one,the bite itself was like getting a tiny shard of glass in your finger.

i went black and blue with greens and yellows up my arm and down one side to my belly ,not painful though even losing the use of the arm where it "swole" up so much it wouldn't bend. It was an amusing bit of my life after going to A&E the receptionist recognised me and asked what it was this time ,last time (a couple of weeks before) it was in the records as "Owls foot in eye" now beig scratched by a tawny owl across the eyeball was painful (and for a week later) and because the other eye came out weeping in sympathy very difficult riding my scooter to the hospital .Tawny owls seem to like attacking eyes its well documented

no snakes were hurt in this episode nor owls either

 

chesters1 may be a bit thick but he's had a hectic life getting experiences few have and probably less want

Edited October 8, 2010 by chesters1

[Dales]

Seen plenty of grass snakes this year on various lakes in Kent, Surrey and Essex.

[Leon Roskilly]

Seen plenty of grass snakes this year on various lakes in Kent, Surrey and Essex.

 

 

Yes, and on both lakes and rivers.

 

It's getting that way almost that if I don't see a snake swimming in my swim at some point I start to wonder what's wrong!

[stooby]

I see them almost every visit at the Emberton Country Park, usually swimming just a few feet out from the bank. In fact the last time I went there I was walking quietly to a "Perch" spot between some bushes and trees and almost trod on 2 of them! one was curled up and the other trying to get away... I must admit it caught my attention for a few minutes looking at the snakes that closely and forgot about the Perch!.... I left the snakes to it and moved away else where.

 

I have no problems with them, lovely looking creatures and will do you know harm as long as you just respect them and their area and dont handle them.

 

Cheers,

 

Stu...

[Fours]

I see them almost every visit at the Emberton Country Park, usually swimming just a few feet out from the bank. In fact the last time I went there I was walking quietly to a "Perch" spot between some bushes and trees and almost trod on 2 of them! one was curled up and the other trying to get away... I must admit it caught my attention for a few minutes looking at the snakes that closely and forgot about the Perch!.... I left the snakes to it and moved away else where.

 

I have no problems with them, lovely looking creatures and will do you know harm as long as you just respect them and their area and dont handle them.

 

Cheers,

 

Stu...

Glad I asked now.Wasn't expecting so many sightings!

[Dales]

Glad I asked now.Wasn't expecting so many sightings!

 

Yeah, it's good to see that they must be doing well in some areas.

[Worms]

You've got to be careful people. The grass snake (Natrix, natrix) is so heavily protected under the CAWA 1981. It's probably illegal to disturb them let alone pick them up, put them in a bucket etc and film them.

Protected but not heavily! Only against killing injury and sale. As are the adder, common lizard and slow-worm. The smooth snake however (along with the sand lizard) has full protection including of its habitat and against disturbance that could include filming or dropping into washing baskets!

[Worms]

not so many this year especially adders but seen some.

not sure adders bites are painful i spent 4 days in hospital after being bitten by one,the bite itself was like getting a tiny shard of glass in your finger.

i went black and blue with greens and yellows up my arm and down one side to my belly ,not painful though even losing the use of the arm where it "swole" up so much it wouldn't bend. It was an amusing bit of my life after going to A&E the receptionist recognised me and asked what it was this time ,last time (a couple of weeks before) it was in the records as "Owls foot in eye" now beig scratched by a tawny owl across the eyeball was painful (and for a week later) and because the other eye came out weeping in sympathy very difficult riding my scooter to the hospital .Tawny owls seem to like attacking eyes its well documented

no snakes were hurt in this episode nor owls either

 

chesters1 may be a bit thick but he's had a hectic life getting experiences few have and probably less want

I know the feeling of your last comment! I've been bitten by all six species of native reptiles........and a few foreign ones

 

The peculiar nature of snake bites is that one is never quite sure how one will react. Bites can be variable and many adder bites do not even result in injected venom, they can be just 'dry' bites......adder venom is a very compex and 'expensive' defensive weapon and much more important as a food gathering aid.

 

From your description Chesters you suffered a full bite but you felt little pain. I likened my bite to "having your hand clamped in a vice that is being constantly tightened whilst somebody plays a blowlamp on it". One friend described it as plunging your hand into a saucepan full of boiling water ........and holding it there". Another, a woman who had three children by natural childbirth exclaimed that she would rather have all three children again, (at the same time) rather than suffering another adder bite!

 

Did you not have anti-venom? If anybody does get bitten by an adder I suggest that you ask for 'Zagreb' anti-venom. This is a polyvalent anti-venom designed to be of use on the bites of many different species of adder (Vipera genus) that are found in Croatia.........it was developed for use by NATO troops during the troubles there a few years back and is much more safe than the previous stuff and very fast acting!