Grass snakes are the largest snakes in the UK, but they’re nothing to worry about. They don’t attack people. In fact, the grass snake has many predators, including badgers, birds, cats, foxes and even hedgehogs. They often play dead rather than fight back, but if you pick them up and they feel threatened, they can give off a horrible smell from their rear end. Grass snakes love wetlands and ponds, where they will often have a swim, and in the summer they like to sunbathe. They visit gardens on the lookout for compost heaps, where they lay eggs that hatch in early autumn. They’re usually green, with a pale belly, dark markings and a yellow and black “collar” on their necks. You will find them in England and Wales.…
