Are Slow-worms and Grass-snakes mutually tolerant?

[Amiguru]

I am fortunate to have a small, (about 60cm. wide by 15cm. deep), slow flowing stream running through the bottom of my garden and I have a compost heap which is about 1 m³ situated about 3 mtrs. from the stream. I have known for some time that I have slow-worms nesting in the compost heap. About a month ago I found a sloughed skin on the side of the heap and assumed it to be a slow-worm's, however, today, I spotted my first grass-snake in the garden slithering over the stream, using some iris leaves as a bridge before disappearing into the undergrowth on the far side. I did a bit of reading up about grass-snakes and decided to check the sloughed skin, (which i kept), again, particularly the 'eye shields' and feel that it is probably that of a grass-snake.
My particular query is, as indicated in the title, does anyone know whether both species could live in the same compost heap and be tolerant of each other?
Any help appreciated

[Wild-Woman]

Originally Posted by Amiguru

I am fortunate to have a small, (about 60cm. wide by 15cm. deep), slow flowing stream running through the bottom of my garden and I have a compost heap which is about 1 m³ situated about 3 mtrs. from the stream. I have known for some time that I have slow-worms nesting in the compost heap. About a month ago I found a sloughed skin on the side of the heap and assumed it to be a slow-worm's, however, today, I spotted my first grass-snake in the garden slithering over the stream, using some iris leaves as a bridge before disappearing into the undergrowth on the far side. I did a bit of reading up about grass-snakes and decided to check the sloughed skin, (which i kept), again, particularly the 'eye shields' and feel that it is probably that of a grass-snake.
My particular query is, as indicated in the title, does anyone know whether both species could live in the same compost heap and be tolerant of each other?
Any help appreciated

Well my guess would be that they would tolerate each other so long as there's enough of their own natural food around.
Grass Snakes eats frogs, newts, tadpoles, fish and smaller snakes.
Slow-worm eats slugs,snails and small reptiles.

I would imagine that they would eat each other's offspring provided they were smaller.
They must be ok in the wild and able to balance living and breeding in habitats that are similar. That's my thoughts anyway.
Good question though!

[RobSutton]

Originally Posted by Amiguru

My particular query is, as indicated in the title, does anyone know whether both species could live in the same compost heap and be tolerant of each other?
Any help appreciated

I think Grass-snakes are often quite aquatic and probably wouldn't be competing directly with Slow-worms for food - as Wild Woman's list of prey species indicates. Watching grass-snakes hunting in a pond is a pretty special wildlife experience if you happen to chance upon it.

[aeshna5]

I'm just envious you have 2 species of reptile in your garden. We do have Slow-worms locally, but haven't seen any in my garden unfortunately!

[Amiguru]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

Well my guess would be that they would tolerate each other so long as there's enough of their own natural food around.
Grass Snakes eats frogs, newts, tadpoles, fish and smaller snakes.
Slow-worm eats slugs,snails and small reptiles.

I would imagine that they would eat each other's offspring provided they were smaller.
They must be ok in the wild and able to balance living and breeding in habitats that are similar. That's my thoughts anyway.
Good question though!

Originally Posted by RobSutton

I think Grass-snakes are often quite aquatic and probably wouldn't be competing directly with Slow-worms for food - as Wild Woman's list of prey species indicates. Watching grass-snakes hunting in a pond is a pretty special wildlife experience if you happen to chance upon it.

Originally Posted by aeshna5

I'm just envious you have 2 species of reptile in your garden. We do have Slow-worms locally, but haven't seen any in my garden unfortunately!

Thanks for your comments guys, I suppose the grass snake could have possibly been feeding on the young slow worms? Whatever the case I am delighted that I am creating the right environment for them all. Just to make Aeshna5 even more envious - I also have the Common Lizard and in the field immediately beyond the stream there are adders though I have yet to see one in my garden - oh well, I'll have to be patient won't I?

[jam_rich1]

We have a large population of slow worms by our pond and some grass snakes, slow worms mainly eat worms and slugs, and grass snakes diet comprises 90% amphinians - frogs and taods mainly, but i have seen them hunting newts in the water. My job involves capturing reptiles and I have never observed adult slow worms eating babies of their own species when put together in the same bucket.
However grass snakes are active predators and although I have never observed it myself, I see no reason why a grass snake would not eat a slow worm if given the chance, I know adders will eat slow worms readily. The problem is, the two species don't come across each other too often, slow worms tend to move through very dense vegetation and live most of their lives under cover, like in your compost heap whereas grass snakes main diet of amphibians mean they need to actively search around above ground. They are likely to only come across a slow worm if a female is laying eggs in a compost heap, in which case she is unlikely to be feeding at this time.
Best thing is to have a pond for amphibians, log piles and compost heaps for egg laying/slow worms and generally wild areas so animals can move between areas, if you end up seeing a snake eating a slow worm, let me know!
james

[Beekeeper]

My friends place which he has made a wildlife reserve has an abundance of snakes, one day whilst visiting, he lifted one of the sheets of corrugated which he has placed around the grounds and apart from a few slowworms, there were also several large grass snakes and numerous young along with one very fit black adder underneath, the sheet is about 4 ft long by 2.5 ft wide so all the snakes were in close proximity of each other and seeming to get along nicely together, i did take some very hurried photographs of them all together but forgot to set the camera up beforehand so the results were very poor, if i have not deleted them all, i wil upload one to this thread for information.


Here we go, found one but didn't get the Adder as he scarpered as soon as the tin was lifted. Do have a picture of him but also poor quality but will upload if anyone is interested. Can't seem to see the Slow Worms either but they were definitely there somewhere.

How many reptiles can you spot?


BK

[jam_rich1]

What a great photo! I've never seen these three species together, what month was this photo taken in? It's great to know someone has these species thriving on their land, most people i come across at work are scared of slow worms let alone snakes!
Where abouts is his wildlife garden?

James

[sidewalkdoctor]

Originally Posted by Beekeeper

Can't seem to see the Slow Worms either but they were definitely there somewhere.

How many reptiles can you spot?

One definite slow worm (lower red mark) & one possible (upper red mark).

[Beekeeper]

Thanks sidewalkdoctor, i knew they were in there somewhere.

The upper red mark i have questioned as it almost appears to be some sort of Lizard rather than a Slow Worm, its funny, you never notice these things when you take the picture, it is always afterwards that things seem to show up.


BK

Originally Posted by sidewalkdoctor

One definite slow worm (lower red mark) & one possible (upper red mark).