snake deaths

[capester]

I unfortunately found a badly damaged, headless grass snake on a recent walk with a friends dog. I discussed with the owner what we thought had killed it- I thought maybe a fox or even a bird (there are Buzzards in the area).
I was disturbed when my friend shrugged and said it was probably a person and it hadn't even occurred to her that it may have been a natural death (even though she is a nature lover and fairly knowledgeable).
A week later I found another similar corpse a short distance from the first. I have never seen snakes in this area alive and would have said that they wouldn't be present as they would get disturbed too much by the locals (its next to a kiddies park, cricket club, tennis courts and is popular with dog walkers).
Any idea what's going on? Cheers

[thunder]

It is quite likely that it was killed by a person - there is still an enormous amount of fear of snakes.

henrya

[Jim Ford]

My money would be on ignorant people doing it!

Jim

[capester]

That's what I was fearing- seriously, what the **** is wrong with people? It's not as if they are even venomous! Grr

[Dogghound]

Dont rule out predators, the head is the most likely part to be eaten. Has it been chewed off, pecked/torn off or cut off? A bit of a closer look may reveal what is causing it.

[capester]

it seemed to be quite a ragged cut and the rear portion of the first one had been stripped to the bone (like a cartoon fish skeleton) but this could have been scavengers. I did take a pic on my phone (sick I know!) if I can find the lead I will put them on tomorrow.
The first one was there for at least 2 weeks though, suggesting scavengers were scarce but I don't know, I hope it wasn't people- I have heard today that most of the rabbit warrens have been dug out with dogs, there was one very close to the snakes. I wonder if their dogs had done it?