England is home to several native snake species, part of the country’s diverse wildlife. These reptiles inhabit various landscapes across the English countryside. Understanding them helps appreciate their role in local ecosystems.
Native Snake Species
England hosts three native snake species: the Adder (Vipera berus), the Grass Snake (Natrix helvetica), and the Smooth Snake (Coronella austriaca). The Adder, England’s only venomous snake, is identifiable by a prominent dark zigzag pattern along its back, with males often grey and females reddish-brown. Adders are relatively small, usually 60 to 70 centimeters long, and primarily eat small mammals and lizards.
The Grass Snake, England’s longest native snake, can grow over a meter, with some recorded at 1.8 meters. It exhibits an olive-green to brownish coloration, featuring a distinct yellow and black collar around its neck and black markings along its sides. Grass snakes tend to be shy, preying on amphibians, fish, and small birds. They are also the only native UK snake species that lays eggs, often in warm, rotting vegetation like compost heaps.
The Smooth Snake, the rarest of the three, is a constrictor. It is smaller than the Grass Snake, usually 60 to 70 centimeters long, and has smooth, glossy scales, unlike the keeled scales of the Adder and Grass Snake. Its coloration ranges from grey to dark brown, often with two rows of indistinct dark spots along its back and a dark stripe extending from its nostril through the eye. Smooth snakes primarily feed on lizards, slow-worms, and insects, subduing prey by coiling around them.
Understanding Venom and Safety
The Adder is England’s sole native venomous snake. It is generally shy, and bites are uncommon, usually occurring if the snake is provoked or accidentally disturbed. While an Adder bite can be painful, causing swelling and discomfort, fatalities in humans are exceedingly rare, with only a few recorded in the UK in the last century.
Should a snake bite occur, remain calm. Keep the affected limb still and positioned below the heart to slow any potential venom spread. Clean the bite area gently with soap and water to help prevent infection. Remove any tight clothing or jewelry near the bite site in case swelling develops.
Prompt medical attention should be sought after any snake bite, particularly for children, the elderly, or those with underlying medical conditions, as their bodies may respond differently to venom. Avoid attempts to capture or handle the snake, or to apply methods like cutting the wound or trying to suck out venom. The Grass Snake and Smooth Snake are non-venomous and pose no threat to humans, typically resorting to defensive behaviors like hissing or playing dead if threatened.
Where Snakes Are Found
Native English snakes occupy specific habitats. Adders are widespread across England, found in various environments including heathlands, moorlands, woodland edges, and coastal areas. They prefer areas with a mix of open spaces for basking and dense vegetation for shelter. Adders are often seen sunning themselves in clearings on warm days, particularly in spring.
Grass snakes are prevalent throughout much of England, particularly in southern and central regions. They are frequently found near water sources like ponds, rivers, and marshes, which provide access to their preferred amphibian prey. These snakes can also inhabit gardens, especially those with ponds or compost heaps, offering suitable egg-laying sites. Grass snakes are adept swimmers and may be observed in water.
The Smooth Snake is the rarest, with a highly restricted distribution, primarily found on sandy heathlands in southern England, notably in counties like Dorset, Hampshire, and Surrey. These heathland environments offer the dry, sandy soil, dense heather cover, and abundant prey, such as lizards, that smooth snakes require. They are quite secretive, often hiding under stones, logs, or within heather rather than basking openly. All three native snake species are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, making it illegal to intentionally kill, injure, sell them, or damage their habitats.