What to do about grass snake taken up residence by pond?

[wildatheart]

Hi everyone.

Very new here, so hope this is the right place to post!

We moved into our home last September; it has a lovely pond, which has been great fun, and great for wildlife. We've enjoyed the frogs, tadpoles, dragonflies, birds and other small pondlife that the pond has attracted. The pond is stocked with many goldfish (just common-or-garden goldfish - nothing fancy, but the children love them and several of the more distinctive ones have names). Anyway, I ramble. A few weeks ago I discovered a snake slithering out of the pond - nearly jumped out of my skin! I caught it (gently) and looked up on the internet to make sure it was nothing dangerous that had escaped from someone's house, was satisfied it was a grass snake, and promptly let it go again.

I have seen it a couple of times since - gives me the creeps, I must say! It seems pretty much fully grown - is around 3-4ft in length.

Now, I know I should possibly be flattered that it has chosen to live with us. The setting is perfect for it - a lovely pond full of food, a low growing conifer next to it to live under. If it is going to restrict it's diet to frogs, I'm not so fussed, but I really don't want it to clear the pond of fish. Added to that is the fact that when it's been for a dip (returning to its lair with a smile on its face and a lump in its belly like yesterday), the fish are scared witless and are now much less fun as they prefer to hide under the water lily than come and play for food when you walk past.

I want to catch the snake and move it. There is a brook 5-10 mins away, which I think would be a perfect new home.

What do you think I should do?

Helen

[Adam Cheeseman]

Tell the fish to snap out of it, or get rid of them and enjoy the privilege of having a snake in your pond.

Seriously though, if there's a compost heap around the snake may well have young to look after, and I can't say that I've ever heard of grass snakes taking fish - too fast for them.

Enjoy,

Adam

[almostnormal]

hi helen, welcome to WAB!

grass snakes will aim for easier prey than the speedy goldfish, probably going for the frogs first. and i'd agree with adam, if there is a compost heap nearby its likely to have young to look after, and as such should be left alone for now. grass snakes have relatively large territories and so its likely that its not just your pond and garden its travelling through.

whatever you decide there are a couple of things to remember:

1. snakes are protected by law
2. grass snakes are harmless to both pets and people you have to have a good reason to move it
3. they tend to be just passing through and are difficult to catch (although since you've already done that once it might be ok) and as such even if you catch it and move it to the brook it might be back.

if you really really don't want it there keeping your grass very short and removing any hiding places ie log piles and stone piles, any areas of tall vegetation etc. the downside to this is that you will also damage the wildlife potential of the garden.

for more detailed advice you can get in touch with froglife at www.froglife.org.uk

hope this helps

sarah

[galanthus]

Hmm, you could always try selling the goldfish and buying a fab camera to take pics of your rather splendid reptile I am so so envious

[demicav]

All British snakes are protected by law, that includes disturbing them, so be very careful about how you handle the situation. You are very lucky to have such an amazing creature sharing your turf and it may well have eggs nearby, as already mentioned. It's obviously an area where grass snakes live and I don't believe they should have to move out because people decided to move in. Grass snakes are harmless so no worries there. Try seeing it from a different light, they really are fantastic creatures and snakes in general are very misunderstood. Please think twice before removing it and check you're not breaking any laws.

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by demicav

All British snakes are protected by law, that includes disturbing them,

Actually protection from disturbance only applies to the smooth snake, the other two are protected from killing, injuring and sale. However, avoiding disturbance can't be a bad idea really.

Grass snakes are indeed pretty ace and a good indicator that the area around you is good habitat for wildlife, it may even have come from the brook you mention. They tend to live in low densities so you don't have to worry about a huge influx either.

As has been mentioned, I wouldn't be suprised if it moves on soon.

[demicav]

Originally Posted by Gill Catton

Actually protection from disturbance only applies to the smooth snake, the other two are protected from killing, injuring and sale. However, avoiding disturbance can't be a bad idea really.

Grass snakes are indeed pretty ace and a good indicator that the area around you is good habitat for wildlife, it may even have come from the brook you mention. They tend to live in low densities so you don't have to worry about a huge influx either.

As has been mentioned, I wouldn't be suprised if it moves on soon.

Yes I checked after that it's only the Smooth Snake that's protected from disturbance due to it being so rare but as you say avoiding disturbance can only be a good thing.

[smartie]

And, to be honest, it's no bad thing if your fish are a bit wary. It's the unwary fish that don't hide under the vegetation that are more likely to become meals for herons, cats and other predators. Mine disappear any time they see movement - or I should say that those of them that have survived do

[Lance Morgan]

Although grass snakes hang around a nest site for a few days, they do not really look after their young and will move on. I'm sure yours will go about its business.

[mrs fish]

You are very lucky to be able to watch some fantastic wildlife. The snake may move on when it has run out of food in the area.

You might even see some babies, I should think baby snakes are eaten by other birds/animals quite easily though.