Grass snake query

wild flower · #1 (**permalink**) 09-01-2009, 04:37 PM

Can anyone tell me the min and max depth of water you would expect to find grass snakes in please? Also, are they able to cope with strong flows? Would you for example expect to find them alongside a large and deep lowland river with a well wooded corridor?

Wild-Woman · #2 (**permalink**) 09-01-2009, 04:42 PM

Interesting question that someone else will have to answer but I've seen them cross deep lakes, still shallow ditches and tiny back-garden ponds.

wild flower · #3 (**permalink**) 09-01-2009, 04:46 PM

Thanks Wild woman. I have done the usual googling and found a new scientist article in which someone said they had seen one swimming out to sea! Which apparently is not unheard of?!

Never say never with Nature..

Dogghound · #4 (**permalink**) 09-01-2009, 04:46 PM

They can stay submerged for a maximum of 30 mins, they usually hunt in shallow water as this is where there are lots of amphibians and usually quite alot of fish in the warmer months. They are quite strong swimmers, if its a very slow flow they may be around, they are certainally found in rivers. The key is whether there is alot of slack backwaters etc with amphibians in for feeding on.

wild flower · #5 (**permalink**) 09-01-2009, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogghound

They can stay submerged for a maximum of 30 mins, they usually hunt in shallow water as this is where there are lots of amphibians and usually quite alot of fish in the warmer months. They are quite strong swimmers, if its a very slow flow they may be around, they are certainally found in rivers. The key is whether thare are alot of slack backwaters etc with amphibians in for feeding on.

Mmm...thank you. I believe they can have quite large hunting ranges so a river, even if deep (though this may not be the case if there is a strong flow) presumably makes an easier route than overland.

For those that may know it Im thinking about the Derwent near Derby.

Dogghound · #6 (**permalink**) 09-01-2009, 04:58 PM

As long as its not a torrent thats going to wash them away they will smim across it, but it will need to be fairly slow to hunt in it. Their home range varies between 3-120 hectars depending on food availability etc. They can easily travel upto 300m per day, and 4km in a year.

Kayleigh · #7 (**permalink**) 09-01-2009, 06:26 PM

Where abouts on the Derwent as the water flow in parts is quite calm where there are reeds ect..
Like near the tip on Raynesway..There is also some still water near there.

wild flower · #8 (**permalink**) 10-01-2009, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

Where abouts on the Derwent as the water flow in parts is quite calm where there are reeds ect..
Like near the tip on Raynesway..There is also some still water near there.

Hi Kayleigh, thats a pretty good guess and yes it is thereabouts I am thinking of.

Kayleigh · #9 (**permalink**) 10-01-2009, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wild flower

Hi Kayleigh, thats a pretty good guess and yes it is thereabouts I am thinking of.

Yes, I used to fish along there along time ago..
ON the same side as the Tip there is a sort of treatment pond thing hidden from the view of the path the grass is very long so I would think amphibians would breed in this pond did you see a snake there..

I used to live in Alvaston about 14 yrs ago..

wild flower · #10 (**permalink**) 10-01-2009, 03:21 PM

I recently visited the area and wondered if grass snakes where likely in the river, as was suggested by someone I was with. My thoughts were that the habitat wasnt great were we were, but maybe if enhancements were made grass snakes might move on to site. I wasnt too sure about the river though as it looked so deep and wide.

The otters are quite active in that area-I wonder if they have ever been known to consume grass snakes!