Written by Ashlea Mawby, Communications Manager & Toads on Roads Coordinator
Grass Snakes and Their Secret Summer Nurseries
The grass snake is one of the UK’s most fascinating reptiles, and summer marks a particularly important time in its life cycle. Unlike the adder and smooth snake, our other native snake species, the grass snake is the only UK snake to lay eggs rather than give birth to live young.
Female grass snakes typically lay their eggs during June and July, searching for warm, damp places where the eggs can safely incubate. In the wild, this might include piles of rotting vegetation, manure heaps, or decaying leaf litter. These natural heat sources are vital because the warmth created by decomposition helps the eggs develop properly.
This is where our gardens and allotments can become incredibly important for wildlife. Compost heaps provide the perfect nursery conditions for grass snakes, offering both warmth and protection. If you are lucky enough to have a compost heap, it is worth keeping an eye out for signs of grass snakes using it during the summer months. You may spot an adult basking nearby or even discover hatchlings later in the season.
it is important to minimise disturbance during the summer
© Josefine Stenudd
However, because compost heaps are such valuable egg-laying sites, it is important to minimise disturbance during the summer. Turning compost or moving vegetation piles between June and September could accidentally damage developing eggs. If possible, delay major compost maintenance until autumn, or carefully check for wildlife before disturbing the heap.
Grass snakes are the largest native snake in the UK and can grow to an impressive 1.5 metres in length. Despite their size, they are completely harmless to people. They are easily recognised by their distinctive yellow and black collar behind the head, along with their olive-green body and dark markings. Grass snakes are also excellent swimmers and are often found near ponds, wetlands, canals, and other freshwater habitats where they hunt amphibians such as frogs and toads.
By late summer, the eggs hatch and tiny juvenile snakes emerge. These young snakes are miniature versions of the adults, measuring only around 15cm long. Although small, they already have the same distinctive markings and collar pattern as fully grown grass snakes.
Grass snakes can be found throughout much of England and Wales, but their distribution becomes more limited further north. In Scotland, they are only found in the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway.
If you are fortunate enough to spot a grass snake, eggs, or any amphibian or reptile species this summer, please remember to record your sighting using Froglife’s free Dragon Finder app. Every record helps us better understand and protect these wonderful species.