Fauna
Reptile

Grass Snake

Natrix natrix

Also known as Ringed Snake

Grass snakes are nonvenomous swimmers usually marked by pale yellow or cream collars behind the head. They hunt amphibians near wetlands and may hiss, release foul-smelling musk, or feign death when trapped.

Nonvenomous SnakeWetland HunterPale Collar
Grass Snake reference1 / 7
Charles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyFrogs, Toads, Newts
Predators
  • Foxes
  • Badgers
  • Raptors
ThreatsWetland loss, road mortality, persecution, garden machinery, and loss of egg-laying sites
HabitatsPond margins, marshes, rivers, wet meadows, gardens, and woodland edges
Life spanOften 10 to 15 years, with some individuals living beyond 20 years
Classification
  1. FamilyColubridae
  2. SpeciesNatrix natrix
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
A cornered grass snake may bite or release musk; never handle it and leave an open escape route.
Why it is dangerous
Although nonvenomous, a restrained grass snake can inflict a defensive bite and discharge strong-smelling musk from its glands.
How to recognize a risky encounter
A pale yellow, cream, or whitish collar behind the head contrasts with an olive, gray, or dark body.
What to do
Do not pick up, corner, or block the snake; step back and allow it to leave under cover.
Responsible observation
  • Collar: Look for pale crescents immediately behind the head.
  • Water: Scan sunny banks from afar because the snake dives when disturbed.
Related species

Related species have not been added yet.

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