RAUK - Archived Forum - Grass Snake - How many could I have?

Can anyone tell me how many grass snakes I could have in my pond.

We managed to move a grass snake out of my pond about a week ago and moved it to a wood with a lake a few miles away.  I've just gone into my back garden again this lunchtime and there's another one.

At the beginning of the season I had about 20 to 30 frogs and toads in my pond.  Now all I can find is one baby frog.  Will my fish be next on the list?  Is there any way to discourage them from my pond? And is there likely to be any eggs/nests under my waterfall?

I live backing onto woods and am unsure whether they are travelling to my pond for food or whether they've made home in my garden.  All I know is that I'm very nervous of them since one hissed at me last year (silly I know, but I can't help it).

I'm going on holiday soon and afraid I may come back to find my garden infested and all my fish gone.  What can I do?

Firstly, don't panic. The Grass snake is very, very unlikely to bite you. Secondly, "infested" is not something that could/would happen. I think you hit the nail on the head when you said that you live backing forest. I wouldn't be suprised if they are coming from afar to visit your pond as you have lots of frogs available without them having to search.

It depends on how big the fish are as to whether the Grass snakes might start eating them. Ordinary sized goldfish might have something to worry about but if they are larger Koi, they would probably be safe.

I wouldn't worry about them laying eggs under your water fall - most unlikely unless it is soft soil, thats moist and catches the sun. but if you have a compost heap nearby (look over the fence, have people been throwing all their grass cuttings next to the forest?) then they might be attracted to that.

Lastly, if you're still worried, you can email me and provided you don't live in timbuktu, I'd come and get them and release them elsewhere.

Ok?

Robert

Hi Robert

Thanks for your reply, but I am a little worried because my Dad and Son have already caught one last year and a big one last week (apparently, it was about 4ft).  Unfortunatley, it seems to take them several weeks before they manage to caught one, as they seem to be very fast in the water and slip away without notice.

The long one (well we thought it was that one) even hissed at my dog.  My dog being so brave just legged it!

Is there any way of discouraging them from my pond?

The other problem I've got is that my house is on the market at the moment and although I know they aren't likely to harm me, if I was a viewer and saw a snake I wouldn't be interested in making an offer however much I liked the house.  Also, I am also concerned because even though I dislike them (in fact I've never felt this way about anything before, I don't know whether it's a fobia, but I shake and feel like I'm going to have a heart attack everytime I see one), I am concerned that other people may not be as tolerant as me because I won't allow anyone to harm them.

How would you be able to catch them?  We've only been able to when I've been luckly enough to have someone around at that moment?  Are they creatures of habit?  Can you predict when they're likely to return?

L

Lin

Lin, this pond sounds as though it should be renamed lake! How big is it for heavens sake? Surely, anyone buying your house with such a large 'pond' and backing onto the forest is going to buy it because of the 'back to nature' feel that it may have and they won't be in the least bit perturbed at your visitations.

You can't predict when a G.S might drop in but if youre worried, take it off the market for a couple of months and then you're very unlikely to get a chance meeting between prospective buyer and GS.

Tony. I'm sure there must be hundreds of places locally where the GS can be retruned to...After all, they're coming from somewhere eh.

Cheers

Robert 

Lin,

Take a look through this booklet from EN, hopefully it will cover some of the questions and worries you may have,

http://www.english-nature.org.uk/pubs/publication/PDF/Reptilesingarden.pdf

Moving individual snakes doesn't really lower the chance of encountering another one when you live near suitable habitat, unless of course you are really phobic and they are intolerable when I guess it's worth a try. Personally I would love to buy a house with GS in the garden, I would swap it for this one full of house spiders (my phobia) any day :0)

Lin,

Where do you live? I reckon your house could go for a premium to some sad herp lover like me :)

Seriously, if your dad is moving the snakes to a spot nearby it is quite likely that the same one is returning for another feed rather than you being infested with huge numbers. I feel catching and moving the population is unlikely to work if you maintain such a good restaurant on site unless you can somehow fence off the garden to make it snake proof (difficult).

If you were staying long term and really phobic I would suggest filling the pond in and making the garden snake, (and unfortunately wildlife) unfriendly with short grass and no shelter. (see the leaflet emma recommended above). As you are hoping to move though I would really recommend you try and live with your visitors.

I know it doesn't help if you are afraid or nervous of snakes (my mum is just the same and can't understand my fascination) but you are really quite priveledged and must have a fantastic wildlife garden for 'em to turn up to.

Good luck

Lisa

Hi

Thanks for all your advise. 

Lisa if you want to buy a house in Berkshire complete with snakes, I know a very nice one for sale!!!

My Dad has moved the snakes to a large lake which is about 3 miles away, surely it won't travel back from there, would it?  The two that he's and my son have caught so far have been slightly different in size and markings.  The first, which I admit was the latter part of last year was about 3ft long and the one this year (which I think was the one that left its skin on my pebbles) was at least 4ft long.  I also sighted another one yesterday which looked no longer than 3ft long although I can't be sure because it slid off my lily into the water as soon as I went into the back garden.

Robert, I wouldn't mind so much if my pond was the size of a lake, at least I would be less likely to see them! But the pond's only about 9 to 10ft long and about 6 or 7ft wide.

I was really proud of my garden, it's the first one I've designed myself and everyone loves it.  I have built my pond myself and took great pains in trying to fit it in with the landscape and at the same time make the whole garden a place to enjoy and relaz without having to spend hours working on it each week.  I have watched the frogs and toads each year and have really enjoyed watching both the tadpoles and the baby fish grow, whenever I mow the lawn I first carefully pick up all the baby frogs/toads (I'm no expert on which they are, but I have had both types of eggs in my pond each year) and place them on the lilypads out of harms way.  In a way they have all become my babies.  Now all I have left is one baby frog and I have only seen one adult frog.  I know from previous years that about a month or so after mating some of the frogs and toads go off, but I can usually see at least half a dozen at any on time.

I have tried staying out in my garden when I first see the snake and after a while my heart does seem to slow down, but the next time it races again and I feel as if I'm about to have a heart attack or something.  I know it's completely irrational and my head tells me it's stupid but I can't help it.  I'm fine with most wildlife and I thought I was OK with snakes (although I would never have one as a pet), but it seems to be since last year when I was about to take what I thought was a piece of debris out of my pond when the snake hissed at me, before I had actually touched it.  I didn't know anything about grass snakes then and didn't realise they liked water until I spoke to the RSPCA, the first thing I thought was that a snake had escaped from somewhere, goes to show my ignorance on the subject. 

It does make me wonder whether I could have coped better had that snake not hissed at me.  Usually I'm quite sensible about these things.  My son says he always knows when I've seen a snake because my voice is totally different, but I am determined that this isn't going to beat me and although I think we will still try to move any out of my pond, I will not allow them to get hurt and will not allow them to keep me out of the garden, I must admit I am nervous putting my hand into the pond now.

Anyway, if there's anyone out there that's looking for a garden complete with snakes, point them my way, they're welcome to it!

Lin, oh dear it sounds serious!! Honestly, if you were familiar with Grass snakes you'd know that to get so close by accident is amazing and the reason it hissed at you is that you probably took it completely unawares and frightened it, more than it frightened you (if thats possible LOL).

What's also possible is that the snakes local habitat has either been disturbed or maybe (if its a pond with public access) most of the food there has been removed. Herons, mallard as well as boys with jam jars all take their toll on frogs and toads and ironically, the garden pond is now becoming a safer prospect to raise young than those outside..End result? Grass snakes get to know where there is rich pickings and follow on.

It doesn't help your situation I know, but, they do help groups for phobias. it sounds worth a try to me when you live in such a fantastic place!

Robert 

Lin,

Sorry Berkshire's the opposite end of the country otherwise I'd be down like a shot!

Snakes can move a fair distance though 3 miles is quite a way in a short space of time. They also don't feed often so it is unlikely for one or two to have decimated your frog population. Hopefully the rest of the frogs etc have just moved into terrestrial habitat (quite probably near your pond) unless you really do have a large number of snakes (which would be a real coup for a garden pond..not that you want to know that I guess LOL).

Robert is right about the hissing. It is usually a last ditch attempt to scare off a predator. You must've surprised it! Grass snakes will not attack or bite you unless you handle them and then only if they are afraid. Believe it or not they are more scared of you. Wish I could persuade you how wonderful these creatures are.

And their habitats are becoming scarer as Robert says, due to building, clearance work etc so your garden sounds like quite a haven. Phobic or not please congratulate yourself. Have you thought of a career in wildlife landscaping?

Lisa

Hi everyone

Just got back from holiday on Saturday and so far I haven't seen the snake(s).

The other good news for me is that I have sold my house (luckily no snake encounters during viewings)

The bad news for the snakes is that I received a phone call today asking if I could empty the pond as the buyers have young children (what difference that really makes I don't know as I brought mine up with a pond, personally I prefer to teach children so they are more aware of dangers when they go elsewhere (but we won't get on that soap box!!))

So, although I think I was starting to get used to them (although they still frightened me to death), they will now have to find a new hunting ground.  I just hope they don't follow me to my new house (would be just my luck)!!!!

Anyway, thanks for all your advice.

All the best to you all and hope you all get your snake visitors!

Lin, sorry to see you go. Maybe when you get to your new house, you might think about putting in a pond!......If not happy hovvering

Rob

Rob

I have about 40/50 fish to re-home so a pond is a necessity, and as much as the snakes scare me, I won't let them put me off my pond. You never know, as long as they leave my fish alone, I might even get to like them!!  I do like a challenge!!

Anyway, thanks for everything this forum and all of you have helped me to cope with them.

Just read through this scenario...

Interesting situation and some good advice. Lin, you've halfway proved youself in getting over this phobia just by finding out more about the animals. Well done...!

Sorry to hear about the pond going though, but pleased to hear you might build a new one.

You might want to consider getting a local herp. group involved and perhaps you could even set up a mini project. Grass snakes can be individually ID by their belly patterns, now I'm not suggesting you take the pictures...!! but if someone with experience and knowledge shows you how it's done this will perhaps help regain your confidence in the animals harmless nature and at the same time produce some great data. A long way off I'm sure but something to think about.

There is a project close by here where some individuals have been tracked over a number of years.

Glad to hear that you are willing to try again, your perseverance and interest will pay off in the long run. Good luck.

Brett.