Grass Snake Egg?

[appleander]

Hi

I was roaming around Elvaston Castle (Derby) nature reserve today, looking for a grass snake. I know they live here as there are signs around the reserve stating so, and I saw my first one last week! Shot out of the bushes straight over my feet!

Anyway I went back today to try and spot one again, this time with my camera ready, unfortunately it's not proving easy because I don't think they are particularly common here.

However I did spot this egg today, a couple of meters from the bush that the snake shot out from! I was curious if it was a grass snake egg, I know it's too early to have hatched, but it does look like one according to google images :\

http://appleander.com/wildlife/DSC07402.JPG

Thanks!

Jay

[The Woodman]

I think that's a dove or pigeon egg by the flaked calcium based hard shell, could be that grass snake has eaten it judging by the pattern of jaw marks. The snake may have been disturbed climbing to the nest when you saw it shoot out of the bushes. Grass Snakes also swallow eggs whole. The egg could have fallen from the nest and broken first, been dropped by another predator or any number of scenarios. I think it's difficult to come to a conclusion but someone may have another view.

[appleander]

Thanks for the response! That would make sense, because moments before it shot out of the bushes I was very close to that tree looking on the ground for a snake. Gave up, got back on the path, turned the corner and there it was.

Hmmm, I'm tempted to go back this evening and have another hunt now, I've not really thought about looking up in the trees!

[1818peach]

Hi i live near elvaston also, where abouts on the nature reserve did you see the grass snake, have you seen any since, i do snake research and would like to try collect some info on snakes in our local area, please contact me via my email, which is peach1818@ntlworld.com cheers chris....

I was roaming around Elvaston Castle (Derby) nature reserve today, looking for a grass snake. I know they live here as there are signs around the reserve stating so, and I saw my first one last week! Shot out of the bushes straight over my feet!

Anyway I went back today to try and spot one again, this time with my camera ready, unfortunately it's not proving easy because I don't think they are particularly common here.

However I did spot this egg today, a couple of meters from the bush that the snake shot out from! I was curious if it was a grass snake egg, I know it's too early to have hatched, but it does look like one according to google images :\

http://appleander.com/wildlife/DSC07402.JPG

Thanks!

Jay[/quote]

[Jim Ford]

Not a good idea to post you email on an open forum '1818peach'. Perhaps you ought to ask a moderator to remove it.

BTW - welcome to WAB.

Jim