RAUK - Archived Forum - Posts by JohnBaker:

Hi Chris,

I've found very small grass snakes at unexpected times of the year.  e.g. one weighing 4 g in May 07 and another weighing 3 g in May 08.  This is pretty much the weight of hatchlings.  This year I found another ten tiny grass snakes in June.  I didn't weigh these, but they looked hatchling size.  I assume that these are simply babies that have got off to a bad start in life and did not manage to grow at all between hatching and the following spring.  Given the cool summers of 2007 and 2008 it doesn't seem unreasonable to think that hatchlings might be appearing late in the year and going into hibernation without feeding and some of them still not managing to put on weight the following spring.

John Baker

Paul, Suffolk ARG/Anglian Water produced a note on egg-laying sites.  It's a bit basic, but I've just added it to the ARG website publications page http://www.argukjb.org.uk/Publications.htm 'other publications'.

There was a photograph of a grass snake egg laying site in a tree stump accompanying an article in British Wildlife over the last year or so.  But I can't find it now.  Probably an article on veteran trees.  Anyway, an example of a 'natural' egg-laying site - if anyone else can remember the reference...

John Baker

Found it.  There's a photograph of grass snake eggs in a hollow stump in British Wildlife 18 (1) October 2006 p23.  I don't think there's anything in the text of the accompanying article, though.

John Baker

Blimey.  Herps on Springwatch.  That is an unusual.  I missed it.  I am not going to make any guess as to when these small grass snakes hatched.  Just an observation and a question.  Observation: grass snake egg shells can be very persistent.  I can find egg shells at this tmie of year from clutches that hatched last year (I am sure a biochemist could extract some useful anti-fungal agent from snake eggs).  Quesion: What was the weather like this year at the time eggs would have been deposited in order to yield hatchlings now?

John Baker

Simon Townson published an article on grass snake eggs reared at different temps (BHS Bulletin 34).  Although working with small sample sizes, 27-28oC worked well.  In a similar situation to this thread, I have incubated grass snake eggs artificially (compost heap destroyed).  I think this option works well if you feel you have a 'feel' for captive care of herps.  Eggs placed in damp vermiculite and kept in airing cupboard, temp upper twenties.  Note, snake eggs collapse a little immediately prior to hatching...

John Baker