Details
Natrix natrix
Grass snake is a non-venomous European snake often associated with wetlands and amphibian prey. When threatened, it may release a foul smell or feign death to deter predators.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It uses ponds, riverbanks, damp grassland, woodland edges, and coastal vegetation. Main habitat types in this guide are freshwater, grassland, forest, coast.
Typical length 60-150 cm, weight 100 g-240 g. A slender body and pale collar marks are typical, with color from gray to olive brown.
It is diurnal and usually solitary. It basks by day and often swims while searching for prey.
It is carnivorous. Frogs, newts, and small fish are swallowed whole, with small mammals taken rarely.
Females lay eggs in warm rotting vegetation, compost heaps, or leaf litter.
Although still widespread in places, it remains sensitive to habitat change. When threatened, it may release a foul smell or feign death to deter predators.
