Snake in the grass

Dear Dr Org,

The missus has just called me (panic-stricken) from a field of heathland not far from here:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl...=13&iwloc=addr

..where our ever so helpful dogs had found said wife a snake (in the grass). Not too impressed with the find, she retreated at haste (probably with hands in air, wailing).

The snake was "small and brown, with eyes", unsurprisingly

Questions:

a) What kind do you think it was?
b) Seen any recently?
c) What do snakes do over the winter? Assuming the warm weather recently has awoken them?
d) Have you ever been bitten? Did you go to hospital?
e) Can snakes kill dogs? How do you kill a snake (assuming you have no anti-snake equipment to hand)


Thanks,
Anonymous, Hampshire.

[timwilky]

sounds like a slow worm


Although we do not tend to get snakes up here. I did once come across some grass snake eggs. And remember as a kid warnings being posted after a dog was killed by an adder on the quarry top over the road from me. But never seen one round here

Did it have a 'v' on its head at all?

Small and brown could be anything- perhaps not even a snake- it could be a slow worm (they look like small snakes to the untrained eye).

Yeah, slow worm, technically a lizard, more common down south. Our cat dragged one in a while back.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slowworm

EDIT:

Oh, and to answer the other questions, no, never been bitten, I'm pretty sure that the only native snakes in the UK that are remotely dangerous to large mammals are adders, and even then you'd have to be allergic or bitten in a bad spot or something to stand a chance of that being fatal (and the time it takes to kill would easily be long enough to seek medical attention). They're pretty timid too, suppose dogs and cats stand more chance of getting bitten if they're over curious, but humans - just leave them alone and they'll leave you alone. If you really must kill it (and you really don't need to and shouldn't) then I guess any old stick will do.

Yep it was probably a slow worm, but in the UK you will get grass snakes, not venomous, but might give you a bit of a nip. Or the Adder, which is said to be like a bee sting, though not fatal could be to some people if they have a bad reaction. Though all snakes will only bite you if they have no escape, as they want to get away from the big scary person as soon as possible,

Wow, never heard of a slowworm.

Not sure if it had a V on its head, I don't think she hung around to check

They dogs are always very interested on that heath-y land though, I suppose this 'find' will only encourage them.

heheh.

I bet that's the last time she takes them there.....

Originally Posted by Grinch

Yep it was probably a slow worm, but in the UK you will get grass snakes, not venomous, but might give you a bit of a nip. Or the Adder, which is said to be like a bee sting, though not fatal could be to some people if they have a bad reaction. Though all snakes will only bite you if they have no escape, as they want to get away from the big scary person as soon as possible,

Its a good point - most "evil" nasties are only dangerous if you provoke them or give them no alternative. Generally they're quite happy doing their own thing rather than eating humans.

-- A bit like what happened to Steve Irwin (off topic, but its mine so I don't care)

Originally Posted by ooger

Questions:

a) What kind do you think it was?
b) Seen any recently?
c) What do snakes do over the winter? Assuming the warm weather recently has awoken them?
d) Have you ever been bitten? Did you go to hospital?
e) Can snakes kill dogs? How do you kill a snake (assuming you have no anti-snake equipment to hand)

I don't know much about snakes but I guess it could be anything.
Nope, not seen any for a few months (and they were in a pet shop).
If they're like lizards they'll brumate (it's like hibernation but not quite). When animals hibernate they sleep for a few months, when they brumate they sleep a lot more then usual but do wake up and eat occassionally.
I've never been bitten, so never been to hospital because of one. Though, I'm sure I'd take a trip to A&E if I was!
Snakes can kill dogs, but I wouldn't think you'd find too many of them in Britain. With regard to killing snakes, I'm pretty sure they're protected by law. Best bet would be to just leave them be. Hope this helps.

Alex

Chances are, it was a slowworm, but it could of been a (pardon this but) grass snake.

If it was a grass snake, it will of been pretty nicely camouflaged (brown/black body). During winter they hibernate (they actually dig tunnels into the ground to stay deep enough & therefore warm enough).

They typically hatch around this time of year, so it could be that your wife disturbed a baby on it's first hunting trip.

I've been bitten countless times by more snakes than I care to remember. Things like grass snakes are nothing to be concerned about. The worst it'd do is leave 2 puncture marks. Teeth may possibly rip tendons etc, but it's very rare. In most cases, germoline & a plaster will suffice.

The only case of being seriously injured I reckon would be due to multiple bites, which will only very rarely happen, or in the case mentionned above, an adder bite & an alergic reaction to it. Most adder bites don't require treatment, but if in doubt, it's always better to ask someone who's job it is to know.

Me & the kids regularly find snakes whilst we're out & about, and even my 3yr old is encouraged to handle wild snakes if he wants to (though if he says he doesn't want to, that's fine too). We have a Royal Python at home which is about 3ft long now.

If you're bitten by anything seriously venomous, then anti-venom is required, and depending on the species, it could be required pretty quickly!! I've been bitten by a Mohave rattle snake in the past, and with a full punch, those things can kill someone my size in 30mins.

Tips for handling snakes? Well:
- If in doubt, DON'T. Leave the snake well alone, and it'll run away & hide.
- If you really want to do as Steve Eirwin used to, pick up by the tail, and make sure it's head can't reach you. Though I prefer the slow & under approach, as they tend to recognise you're not a threat (predators attack snakes from above)... but this could be why I get bitten so often too.

I am constantly amazed by the amount and diversity of quality information in here (99% of the time....)

Thanks everyone, and Baph for the final piece. My brother in law keeps a snake in his bedroom (thats a not a dirty joke, BTW), but he's never around when you need any snake-related advice.

We'd make an excellent audience for Who Wants to Be a Millionnairre, although I'd be tempted to ride over Chris Tarrant's smug face. Maybe thats just me.

Panic over, until next time