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Searching out the 6 footers: |
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herpetologic2 Senior Member Joined: 15 Jun 2004 No. of posts: 1369  View other posts by herpetologic2 |
Posted: 06 Mar 2007 Okay - Now I think we need to start logging some of the grass snakes which are 'monsters' - this year we need to find the largest grass snake - now how we do this may not be everyones cup of tea - if people can get an insitu photograph of the animal with something for scale in the photo that will be great But maybe some of the biggies need to be captured and measured - I suggest that minimum handling as necessary and I would say that would it be best to keep this within the spring months - as th elarge grass snakes are mostly female and so we do not want to harm any developing eggs later in the year try to keep to capturing one animal at a site to try and keep the disturbance down - in fact only go for the biggest perhaps Hopefully the grassies will be out soon and will be easy to photograph or capture Just as an idea? Photographs of large grass snakes for 2007!
Vice Chair of ARG UK - self employed consultant - visit ARG UK & Alresford Wildlife |
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Paul Ford Senior Member Joined: 06 Sep 2006 No. of posts: 124  View other posts by Paul Ford |
Posted: 06 Mar 2007 I for one love to see pictures of large grass snakes (or even better, up close and personal When I'm out I'd much rather see one big one rather than lots of small ones (bit like when I'm fishing actually - rather catch one big one!!). I also like the ones with distinct markings - I guess though as they get older the markings fade? Although when I was a kid I caught a 3¢ footer and the markings were as clear and vivid as a young one. Up on the mendips last year all the grassies I saw were less than 2¢ foot (probably less than 2 foot) and all a bit on the plain side - perhaps I need to look somewhere else for the bigger "cross-banded" types? Paul
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armata Forum Specialist Joined: 05 Apr 2006 No. of posts: 928 View other posts by armata |
Posted: 06 Mar 2007 There are some big ones in the Mendips Paul - over 4ft anyway pm me if you want some site info. There is a myth that heathland grass snakes never grow as big as those from other habitats - not true - the 6footer that KC found in the 60s was a heathland animal and I have regularly seen them on heath over 4ft 'I get my kicks on Route 62' |
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armata Forum Specialist Joined: 05 Apr 2006 No. of posts: 928 View other posts by armata |
Posted: 06 Mar 2007 BTW have to tell you this; talking about big snakes. Have now officially recorded the largest cape cobra in southern Africa @ 2.31m I took it out of a wall in a staff house at DeHoop. Also in the 1980s recorded the largest black mamba at 3.75m in KZN Not too bad for an Englishman (Welsh, sorry).  'I get my kicks on Route 62' |
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Robert V Senior Member Joined: 06 Aug 2004 No. of posts: 717 View other posts by Robert V |
Posted: 07 Mar 2007 Tony, wow, record holder eh...... I betcha I get the record for the biggest grassie this year! Did you hear that Jon!? The gauntlet is down, and no cheating with past years photos or from those caught by somebody else. I want to see the catchers face in the photos! Deal? Rob RobV |
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AGILIS Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 No. of posts: 694  View other posts by AGILIS |
Posted: 07 Mar 2007 hi Rob looks like I will have to have ago at finding some big ones this year and try and authenticate it with a pic after my last large one a few years ago in Suffolk must say looks like there could be some big Essex ones as Hanningfield has plenty of water areas with good cover lets hope it warms up regards keith
LOCAL ICYNICAL CELTIC ECO WARRIOR AND FAILED DRUID |
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herpetologic2 Senior Member Joined: 15 Jun 2004 No. of posts: 1369 View other posts by herpetologic2 |
Posted: 07 Mar 2007 Okay Rob Your on - I think the longest grassie wins a pint from the loser eh? now are we separating the sexes - longest male and longest female? Let the contest begin! right where did I see that BIG grassie last year - 109cm (SVL) ah there! right off I go! Jon Vice Chair of ARG UK - self employed consultant - visit ARG UK & Alresford Wildlife |
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Robert V Senior Member Joined: 06 Aug 2004 No. of posts: 717 View other posts by Robert V |
Posted: 09 Mar 2007
Jon, or maybe even two pints! I wished I had time to go down to Kent. I heard that there is a wetland site down there that has regular 5 - 6 foot grassies...... R RobV |
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Paul Ford Senior Member Joined: 06 Sep 2006 No. of posts: 124 View other posts by Paul Ford |
Posted: 23 May 2007 So what's the biggest so far then?  |
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AGILIS Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 No. of posts: 694 View other posts by AGILIS |
Posted: 23 May 2007 hi I have caught one That was well into sixfoot a few years ago but alas I had no camera to authenticate it but i reckon there still are a few about in the River lark area in Suffolk and have seen some really big ones near a stream at Hankley common in Surrey but were to fast to catch some years ago keith
LOCAL ICYNICAL CELTIC ECO WARRIOR AND FAILED DRUID |
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Robert V Senior Member Joined: 06 Aug 2004 No. of posts: 717 View other posts by Robert V |
Posted: 23 May 2007
My biggest so far is just under four foot......... But that was including tail. Rob RobV |
- Searching out the 6 footers |