What are the 4 species of snake in the UK?

Identify UK snakes

• Adder. The adder is a greyish snake, with a dark and very distinct zig-zag pattern down its back, and a red eye.
• Grass snake. The grass snake is usually greenish in colour – although this can vary.
• Smooth snake.
• Slow worm.

Are there any poisonous snakes in the UK?

Only 3 types of snake are found in the wild in the UK. The adder is the only venomous snake, but you should get all snake bites checked as soon as possible. Adders are grey or reddish-brown, with a dark zig-zag shaped stripe down their back.

How do I identify an adder snake?

Identification. The adder is easily recognised by a dark, continuous ‘zig-zag’ stripe along its back. There is also a row of dark spots along each side. The background colour varies from grey-white in the male to shades of brown or copper in the female.

How many snakes are there in the UK?

three
There are three native snakes species in the UK and you’re most likely to see them in the wild, or sometimes in your garden, during the warm weather. There’s only one venomous native snake in the UK.

Are UK snakes protected?

Snakes are protected by law. All snakes in the UK are protected under The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 Schedule 5. It is an offence to kill, injure or take a native snake.

Which UK snakes can swim?

Grass snakes are the largest in Britain, reaching up to approximately 1.3 metres. They have a round pupil and have a green back with dark bars. These snakes have a black and cream or white collar at the base of the head and are also proficient swimmers.

What to do if you find a snake in your garden UK?

If you stumble across a native British snake in your garden or the wild, please leave them undisturbed. There’s no need to get in contact with us unless the snake appears to be injured or wounded. If you find a non-native species of snake, please keep your distance and call our advice line on 0300 1234 999.

What kind of snakes live in the British Isles?

The Adder and the Grass snake are the most common known snakes on the British Isles, however, the Smooth snake is only recognised by very few people.

Which is the largest snake found in Britain?

However, in August 2017, scientists announced that British grass snakes were actually a separate species, Natrix Helvetica – the barred grass snake, rather than the European Natrix natrix. The barred grass snake is the largest snake found in Britain.

How big can a smooth snake get in the UK?

Similar in appearance to the adder, the smooth snake can be distinguished by its more slender body, round pupil and less well-formed dark pattern on its back. It is usually grey or dark brown in colour and around 60-70 cm in length. The rare smooth snake can only be found at a few heathland sites in the UK. Read more Not a snake!

Where are the grass snakes in the UK?

Snake’s Head fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris) wildflowers at North Meadow National Nature Reserve, Cricklade, Wiltshire. British grass snakes basking in a sunny, sheltered position.