Identifying Black Snake in Hampshire

[frenchy4]

Could anyone give us an indication of the unusual type of snake we saw this morning.
Whilst walking near to the New Forest in Hampshire and very close to a conservation Pond we noticed a Very black and shiny snake which appeared to have a pointy tail. The snake looked to be approx 1 1/2" thick and approx 1 foot long. I can't see any photos on the web that come close to what we saw... IF anyone has any pictures or info I'd love to know what 'It' was.

There was a pond near by, lots of long grass and it was lieing on a small wall before it darted off fairly quickly!

[JaySteel]

Both Adders and grass snakes are present in the New Forest (even though I spent all Wednesday looking for them unsuccessfully!) and melanistic (black) examples of both can be found. If it was found near water then it is most likely to be a melanistic grass snake. Although in those dimensions you quoted it could have been a melanistic adder as they tend to be shorter and wider than the grass snake.


The Surrey Amphibian and Reptile Group have a photo of the melanistic grass snake on their site:

Surrey Amphibian and Reptile Group - Grass Snake

And the melanistic adder can be found here:

http://www.uksafari.com/blackadder.htm



Regards,

Jason

[frenchy4]

Hi Jason - Thank you very much for your reply - I've looked at both pictures and also searched the internet using both names - looking at the photo's it definitely looks like the Adder -
We were In Chilworth at the Manor Hotel. Southampton University have conservation project directly behind the hotel grounds, I'm pretty sure this is open for the public to walk through. it appeared to be sunbathing on a small wall and as we approached closer it sped off. It may have been the angle at which it left but the tail end reminded me of a 'Catfish's' body(that's the only way we could describe it's shape). It was a very shiny black as if it had, perhaps, not long been out of the water.

Many thanks.

Mark

[arvensis]

I've visited that site a few times and it has all 4 of the 'widespread' reptile species there. The reason why it could be shiny black is that it has recently sloughed - the colours do look especially vibrant.

Good find.

Mark