Grass Snake
Natrix natrix • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Natrix, Species: N. natrix
Widely distributed across Europe, from southern Scandinavia to Italy, and into Central Asia and Northern Africa.
Look up Grass Snake in the Snake Encyclopedia →Venomous Status
Non-venomous (aglyphous)
Danger Level
Harmless; very low risk to humans as they lack venom and rarely bite, preferring to flee or play dead.
Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Natrix, Species: N. natrix
Conservation
Least Concern (IUCN). Major threats include habitat loss (wetland drainage) and decline in amphibian prey populations.
Physical Description
Dark olive-green to grey-brown body with small black spots. Distinctive diagnostic feature is the yellow/white 'collar' followed by a black mark behind the head. Eyes have round pupils. Scales are keeled.
Size & Dimensions
The specimen pictured is a juvenile, likely 20-30 cm. Adults typically range from 70-100 cm, with females reaching up to 150 cm.
Habitat
Primarily semi-aquatic; found near freshwater bodies such as ponds, lakes, streams, and marshes. Also inhabits open woodlands and gardens with sufficient moisture.
Behavior & Temperament
Diurnal and shy. Notable for 'thanatosis' (death-feigning) where it flips onto its back and emits a foul-smelling musk. Good swimmers.
Diet & Feeding
Specialized carnivore feeding mainly on amphibians (frogs, toads, newts) and occasionally small fish. They forage actively and swallow prey alive without constriction.
Reproduction
Oviparous (egg-laying). Females lay clutches of 8-40 leathery eggs in warm, decaying organic matter like compost heaps to aid incubation.
Venom Profile
Non-venomous - no medically significant venom.
Look-alikes
Often confused with the Smooth Snake (Coronella austriaca) or the Adder (Vipera berus). It is distinguished by its round pupils and the bright yellow collar.
Conservation Status
Least Concern (IUCN). Major threats include habitat loss (wetland drainage) and decline in amphibian prey populations.
Cultural Significance
Commonly found in European gardens; historically viewed as a 'house snake' in some cultures and an indicator of a healthy local ecosystem.
Notable Features
Famous for its elaborate defensive displays which include hissing, flattening the head to look like a viper, and eventually playing dead with the tongue hanging out.