 |
|
|
Tiny Pythons in England ???? Cant be: |
| Author | Message |
|
John Member Joined: 07 Apr 2006 No. of posts: 15  View other posts by John |
Posted: 09 Apr 2006 I have a stream at the end of my garden and to my amazement my son spotted what looked a like a tiny python. I say python only because this snake was all wrapped round a lizard like a constricting snake My wife asked what it could be and i was stumped? I stumbled across this site in the hope you can make me the clever husband again |
|
Dan Kane Senior Member Joined: 30 Dec 2005 No. of posts: 201  View other posts by Dan Kane |
Posted: 09 Apr 2006 John, Do you have any pictures, as these would be very helpful in I.D.ing the snake. Whereabouts in the country do you live? The only snake in Britain that constricts regularly is the Smooth Snake, Coronella austriaca, which is only found in Dorset and Hampshire. It often eats lizards. The Grass Snake, Natrix natrix is the most aquatic species, and in most places is the most likely to be seen. It very rarely constricts, and regularly eats frogs and toads, but occasionally it will take lizards. Look them up on google image search or on the identification pages, and let us know what it was your son found. Dan www.randacumbria.moonfruit.com |
|
John Member Joined: 07 Apr 2006 No. of posts: 15 View other posts by John |
Posted: 09 Apr 2006 Thanks ok looked up on google im convinced it is not a grass snake Thing is my wife reckons she's seen a few of down the garden over the years im digging out a camera now - in the meantime are the cats ok in the garden with them? |
|
Dan Kane Senior Member Joined: 30 Dec 2005 No. of posts: 201 View other posts by Dan Kane |
Posted: 09 Apr 2006 John, The cats shouldn't pose any threat to the snakes if they are kept away from them, and if your wife has seen a few of them, chances are they're not pythons, as these dont naturally occur in Britain, or Europe. Some times alien snakes are found in Britain, released from their homes by the owners who don't want to or can't look after them, or ones that've escaped, but usually these don't live very long in the relatively cool climate of the British Isles. If you live anywhere around the south coast, i.e. Dorset, Hampshire, around the New Forest or nearby it could well be a Smooth Snake, and you are very lucky to have that rare snake in your garden. Does your snake look anything like this? Dan www.randacumbria.moonfruit.com |
|
mikebrown Senior Member Joined: 30 Jun 2005 No. of posts: 95  View other posts by mikebrown |
Posted: 09 Apr 2006 John, American Corn Snakes are frequently kept in captivity and often escape. they can look superficially like pythons or boas and constrict their prey. They are often a coppery colour with attractive patterns and can grow to four or five feet. I have one myself which someone found and mistook for a boa. Maybe this is what you have found, especially if you don't live in Smooth Snake country. Mike Brown Mike Brown Merseyside ARG |
|
-LAF Senior Member Joined: 03 Apr 2003 No. of posts: 317  View other posts by -LAF |
Posted: 09 Apr 2006 Sounds like a grass snake getting itself in a twist eating a newt to me. What part of the country are you in John? Lee. Lee Fairclough |
|
B Lewis Krag Committee Joined: 24 Aug 2004 No. of posts: 146  View other posts by B Lewis |
Posted: 10 Apr 2006 I'm think I will second Lee on that one.. More likely that it is a Grass snake but a photo ID is always the best way to go. I think if your wife has encountered them on more than one occassion it is more likely to be one of the widespread species than a chance encounter with an alien. But who know's in this pet ridden world what might turn up in your garden.. Brett. Lewis Ecology Brett Lewis Photography Kent Reptile & Amphibian Group DICE - University of Kent |
|
John Member Joined: 07 Apr 2006 No. of posts: 15 View other posts by John |
Posted: 11 Apr 2006 Hi Guys After the pictures posted , im sure it must be a smooth snake as the grass snakes look wey different I live near Ash Hants cheers guys |
|
Vicar Senior Member Joined: 02 Sep 2004 No. of posts: 1181 View other posts by Vicar |
Posted: 11 Apr 2006 Is that the Ash Hants which is in Surrey, but on the Hants border ?, if so...you could possibly be right. Do you back onto the ranges ? Steve Langham - Chairman 
Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group (SARG). |
|
-LAF Senior Member Joined: 03 Apr 2003 No. of posts: 317 View other posts by -LAF |
Posted: 11 Apr 2006 Yep, sounds in smooth snake range to me too. Pics would be great but your neck of the woods is about right. Lee. Lee Fairclough |
|
John Member Joined: 07 Apr 2006 No. of posts: 15 View other posts by John |
Posted: 11 Apr 2006 Yes Ash is on the Borders I dont live bang on the ranges - though it's about 200 metres But the garden has a stream down the end and great basking areas Neighbour confirmed it was a smooth snake, but didn't say as she didn't want too many people to know due to these fellas being rare or something So can i charge them rent |
|
John Member Joined: 07 Apr 2006 No. of posts: 15 View other posts by John |
Posted: 13 Apr 2006 This is a seperate mail for Steve I live on the pirbright road |
- Tiny Pythons in England ???? Cant be |