Snake laws

[Wild-Woman]

I know that where I live, which is on a post war housing estate but about 300 mmetres from farmland, there are grass snakes.I know this because I rescued one last year and have found,several times, in my garden their shed skins. Generally the people who live here have young families and are town orientated folk, who have very little countryside knowledge.

My question is, are there any laws that would prevent me from removing them from gardens etc and placing them in a safe area, not far from here, that is a wildlife park, that has great ponds and good areas that would suit grass snakes?

I have heard of some folks here doing away with them because they think that they will bite, harm their kids, eat their goldfish or some other ignorant notion about these fantastic creatures.

I took the rescued one there last year and set it free by a pond but I'm not sure that I am really allowed to.wwThanks

[paulthomas]

I found this by Googling around. Best leave them alone I think.

[Imaginos]

Originally Posted by paulthomas

I found this by Googling around. Best leave them alone I think.

Although it makes no mention of relocating for the safety of the animal-best get in touch with your local wildlife trust and see what they have to say would be my advice.

[nicole]

I know its illegal to disturb or capture our rarest reptiles and amphibians (smooth snake, sand lizard, great crested newt and natterjack toad) for any reason. I am not sure what the law states about our commoner species such as the grass-snake. I would have to agree with Imaginos, contacting your local wildlife trust or english nature (see link below) would be your best bet Wild-Woman


http://www.english-nature.org.uk/contactlink.htm

[fbcpmike]

A little light reading .
The Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 and Naturenet's copy which goes into some of the detail of the act.

It would appear you might be ok to move them but *DO* get advice first, but on the other hand if you have a garden they like coming into, welcome them and enjoy.

[Wild-Woman]

Thank you your replies. I will be contacting the local wildlife trust. I have absolutely no problems with any snakes myself, I like them and welcome their presence in my garden,however I know of neighbours who do not and will not be told that they are completely harmless. This is why I was going to get the message around that I would collect them and 're-home'them where they would be safe.

This time of year,when I think they will be active finding a mate, they will be coming out of the compost heaps that some have in their gardens.

Looks like I'll be busy reading the Wildlife and Countryside Act today. ww

[kerfoot]

Hi WW
Just a thought but the release site for your grass snakes may already have a healthy population of snakes there and depending on its size may not be able to absorb the new arrivals. Although I'm sure this is better than them being persecuted (which is a wildlife crime and can be reported to a WCO).
I'm sure your local Wildlife trust will give you all the info you need,
Good luck and keep us posted

[pet]

lucky you, wish i had grass'ies frequenting my garden

[Alan Hyde]

Hi Wild-woman,
I've sent you an email address of a person that may be able to help you with grass snake relocation.
Alan

[BM]

I've only seen a grass snake once. It was on the grassy verge of a track after a heavy shower on a warm summers day on Salisbury Plain. I now live in Scotland and unfortunately every book that I've read on the subject states that you don't get them in Scotland ........ has anyone seen one north of the border?

WW here is a link to a book called the Herpetofauna Workers' Manual:-

"A comprehensive manual covering all aspects of reptile and amphibian conservation and management, with chapters on surveying, field recognition of animals, threats to conservation status, habitat management, law, site assessment, species translocation and herpetofauna groups." Might make an interesting read.

There is also another book called Reptiles and Amphibians: Expedition Field Techniques which "describes methods for locating, capturing and handling reptiles and amphibians in the field." ........ Alana Ecology also stock snake hooks/snake catchers in case you want to keep them at arms length (don’t they squirt a rather smelly substance when handled?!? )!