Rat Snakes in UK

[JaySteel]

Well spotted. I keep meaning to jump on a train up to London myself to try and find an aesculapian snake to photograph. Not knowing London at all well myself I think this could be quite a mission but well worth it if I can get the photograph I'm after.

Jason

[nightshade]

There is another thriving colony at Colwyn Bay.

[RobinP]

Originally Posted by Vipera

Took me a while to work out it is only one snake!
I take it was along the Regent's Park canal area.

Robin

[JaySteel]

Yeah I've heard of that one thanks nightshade. London is only about 15 miles away from me though, so it's not too far for me to travel at all.
I've just checked the route - Train to London Bridge, then the underground to Camden Town. I think that could be one of my days planned for my week off work next week if the weather is right!
These snakes must be used to both people and noise being in a busy area like London so it shouldn't be too hard to get close to them if they're about.

[N0z]

Originally Posted by Vipera

Smooth snake bites aren't really that bad, infcat the only time you will be bitten by one is if you are handling one, yes they do draw blood, sometimes, although I have been bitten several times and they have'nt drawn blood, I dont even think its that painfull really, however its best to avoid being bitten by any reptile as they can carry salmonella, i dont know if this can be passed on through bites?
Another thing to remeber is if you are bitten by a smooth snake (not sure if this applies to all snakes, I imagine it does) you cant yank your hand away, which is a pretty natural reaction, as you could very well rip the snakes teeth out, which is not good at all.



Here is a Smooth snake having a snack on my finger, and this one did draw blood!

lol im starting to feel hungry now... no joke

[Vipera]

Originally Posted by RobinP

Took me a while to work out it is only one snake!
I take it was along the Regent's Park canal area.

Robin

That's correct!

[Vipera]

Originally Posted by JaySteel

Yeah I've heard of that one thanks nightshade. London is only about 15 miles away from me though, so it's not too far for me to travel at all.
I've just checked the route - Train to London Bridge, then the underground to Camden Town. I think that could be one of my days planned for my week off work next week if the weather is right!
These snakes must be used to both people and noise being in a busy area like London so it shouldn't be too hard to get close to them if they're about.

This one stayed quite still for us, i just wish its head was in shot though, i would be happy with the pic then, i'm not an expert photographer but there's not much you can do even with professional equipment and skills if the subject matter is not well placed. We didn't want to disturb it so i could get a photo and this was the best angle i could get for the photo. You are lucky living so close! and the good thing is there's plenty of pubs in Camden town to enjoy a celebratory pint after you find the snake, which is exactly what we did!

[JaySteel]

Well I spent several hours searching in vain for these elusive creatures yesterday until Will found me and pointed me in the right direction. So a huge "Thank you!" to Will.
Here's a couple of shots taken in-situ of the aesculapian snakes showing how adapt they are to climbing trees and bushes.








It amazes me how these snakes just sit there unnoticed and unbothered whilst hundreds of people walk past them every day. I'm going to have to make another trip one day to get some better shots but for now I'm very pleased that I got to see these beautiful snakes and it wasn't a wasted trip thanks to Will. Larger versions of these images are on my website.

Best regards,
Jason