Grass Snake
Natrix natrix • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Natrix, Species: N. natrix
Widespread across Europe, extending into western Asia and parts of northwestern Africa.
Look up Grass Snake in the Snake Encyclopedia →Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Natrix, Species: N. natrix
Conservation
Listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, though populations face local threats from habitat loss and wetland drainage.
Physical Description
Dark body coloration, slender build, typical smooth or weakly keeled scales, gliding across lily pads in an aquatic environment.
Size & Dimensions
Adults typically range from 90 to 120 cm in total length, though females can occasionally exceed 150 cm.
Habitat
Found primarily near water bodies such as ponds, lakes, marshes, and slow-moving rivers, ranging from lowlands to moderate elevations.
Diet & Feeding
Predominantly feeds on amphibians such as frogs, toads, and newts, as well as occasional small fish, hunted actively in and around water.
Reproduction
Oviparous, laying clutches of 10 to 40 eggs in decaying vegetation or warm, damp soil during the summer months.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, though populations face local threats from habitat loss and wetland drainage.
Cultural Significance
Often featured in European folklore as garden snakes, sometimes associated with domestic guardians or good fortune.
Notable Features
Highly aquatic behavior, often observed swimming proficiently or resting on floating vegetation such as water lily pads.