In this programme Sir David Attenborough examines the fascinating lives of the most misunderstood group of reptiles – the snakes.

Misunderstood is only the half of it: in the UK, we have just three species of snake and it’s a miracle they still remain here at all. From Adam and Eve (“Thou art cursed!”), through to Victorian legends of snakes crawling down the throats of sleeping farm labourers, snakes have had an incredible amount of bad press. Even in the 19th century, ‘snake-bashing’ was a common and widespread tradition. Sadly persecution continues today, something Froglife, and others, campaign hard to stop.

Snakes in the grass…

Our most widespread and largest snake is the Grass Snake. Usually reaching up to 3ft, although 5ft specimens have been known. Other names for this snake include the Water Snake and Ringed Snake – both names are apt: Grass Snakes feed largely on amphibians (particularly Common Frogs and Toads) and hence are normally distributed near water bodies (rivers, lakes, reservoirs, ponds); and they can be identified via the yellow and black ring (or collar) behind the head.

You can learn more about your nearest prime sites for Grass Snakes by contacting your local Amphibian and Reptile Group (www.arguk.org) or Wildlife Trust (www.wildlifetrusts.org). Some groups may put on reptile walks in April or May, and others might offer you training in identification and surveying – a great thing to have on your CV!

Throughout Life in Cold Blood we see many examples of mimicry, and the Grass Snake has evolved a couple of these tactics itself. Grass Snakes, when cornered by a predator, are known to strike and aggressively hiss as you would expect from a venomous snake. This is all bravado: their teeth are actually too fragile (having evolved to grapple with fish and amphibians) to cause real damage. If that doesn’t scare off predators some individuals will then feign death: complete with eyes rolled, and tongue lolling out.

One other effective strategy for deterring predators is a reptile classic: when all else fails, spray the contents of your smelly guts everywhere!  

Episode 1: Cold Blooded in a Cold Climate
Episode 2: Battlefield Pond
Episode 3: Dragon's Den UK
Episode 4: Snakes in the City
Episode 5: Visitors to UK Shores
Epilogue: Froglife in Cold Blood

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BBC Life in Cold Blood
ARG UK
British Herpetological Society
Herpetological Conservation Trust