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Snake Skin Identification |
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alkynance
New Member Joined: 05 Oct 2016 Location: London Status: Offline Points: 3 |
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Posted: 05 Oct 2016 at 12:46pm |
We found this snake skin under the compost bin lid which had been left on the ground. This is in a wild cottage garden near the Quantocks in Somerset. We want to know if it's a grass snake or an adder. Thanks
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Iowarth
Admin Group Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Status: Offline Points: 743 |
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Hi there
To my ageing eye, markings retained on the skin are hardly noticeable. This tend to rule out an adder and in any event the compost location would strongly suggest grass snake. Chris |
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Chris Davis, Site Administrator
Co-ordinator, Sand Lizard Captive Breeding Programme (RETIRED) |
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PondDragon
Senior Member Joined: 15 Jul 2013 Status: Offline Points: 55 |
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Look out for a cluster of empty egg shells when you turn/use the compost. They're fairly obvious as they stick together in a group of about 20 or so. Female grass snakes lay their eggs in the heap around June. The eggs hatch out August/September so good to avoid turning the heap during that time.
The female grass snakes shed before laying so you can sometimes find the skin on the heap then, although this one looks quite fresh so must be more recent. The hatchlings also shed soon after laying so you can potentially find their skins as evidence of successful breeding - about 7" long. |
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