British Snakes

There are 3 British snakes but do they make good pets?

When most people are asked to name British Snakes the first they will think of is usually the Adder. There is also the Grass Snake and the lesser known Smooth Snake.

The Adder

The only venomous British Snake can be found all over mainland UK and is also the only Scottish native snake. Despite it being venomous this snake is more likely to disappear into bushes if disturbed and there have been less than 10 reported bites in the last century. You are more likely to spot an Adder out in the open where its prey is plentiful such as moorlands and swampy areas. The Adder falls under the Dangerous Wild Animals act and it is a poor feeder so does not make an ideal pet snake.

The Grass Snake

The Grass Snake can grow up to 5 feet in length and is the only egg laying British Snake. It tends to reside near water such as ponds, lakes and rivers where it can feed on amphibians. Grass snakes aren't easy to spot and are not venomous. Their specialised feeding requirements mean they should only be kept by specialists.

The Smooth Snake

Smooth snakes are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act and capture is prohibited. Smooth snakes are the lesser spotter variety of British Snake but is sometimes confused with the Adder until you see that the pattern on its back is quite different. Smooth snakes feed on lizards and other small reptiles and sometimes small rodents.

For specialist advice on keeping snakes including which snakes make the best pets, call us on 08456 589 599