Grass snake in the greenhouse

[BlueTans]

I have two wonderful cats. Unfortunately they have some really bad habits, one of which is catching the local wildlife. No matter how many times I tell them not to they will continue bringing me presents.

Today they brought me a grass snake which we rescued and put in a bucket even though it looked like we were too late. I put the bucket in the greenhouse thinking that if the snake was injured it would need to keep warm and that it could just be playing dead. It was, it is now curled up having a snooze under the black plastic I use as a weed suppressant. Obviously they can climb out of buckets!!!

Now what do I do? By day we have two cats prowling that may do it harm and by night we have several very active hedgehogs we are encouraging into the garden. Even if we did manage to catch it I don’t know where it came from so could just move it away from where home was! I have currently left it in the greenhouse to recuperate but not sure what the long term plans should be. Whilst I love the little thing I do tend to jump when a snake suddenly appears out from under the tomato plant I am picking tomatoes from and I am not sure there is much for it to eat in there except spiders and ants and I don’t think it will eat them!! I would prefer not to leave the door open overnight (even a little) as the aubergines and cucumbers would catch a chill!!!

Any suggestions as to what I should do with our guest?

[Dogghound]

It would be best to leave a small gap for it to get out. If not then open the door first thing in the morning. They are not often very active during the night, except when its warm and humid (earlier in the summer) so its unlikely to move very far during the night. Is the door open now? it may leave before night time temperatures drop. They often play dead, was there any damage to it?

[BlueTans]

I couldn't see any damage to the snake, the cats are not skilled killing machines (although that often makes things worse).

I will open the door for the next hour or so and see if it leaves as the cats are currently in. The aubergines will just have to get a bit chilly!!!

[Dogghound]

You will have to have a good search within the greenhouse to make sure it has gone.