Snakes alive – it's Spring

I spotted this beautiful 18 inch grass snake in my garden on the east side of the village yesterday basking in the sun. No sign of the parrot though!

AudlemOnline adds: No reports yesterday of the parrot aka Sulphur Crested Cockatoo.

Grass snakes in the UK

The grass snake is typically dark green or brown in colour with a characteristic yellow collar behind the head, which explains the alternative name ringed snake. The colour may also range from grey to black, with darker colours being more prevalent in colder regions, presumably owing to the thermal benefits of being dark in colour.

The underside is whitish with irregular blocks of black, which are useful in recognizing individuals. In Great Britain, the grass snake is the largest reptile, reaching up to 190 centimetres in total length. Read more...

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