Grass Snake Natrix helvetica

The Grass Snake (Natrix helvetica) is Britain’s largest native snake and a familiar, though declining, resident of a wide range of habitats including wetland margins, rough grassland, heathland, and gardens. It is closely associated with water, feeding predominantly on amphibians, and females seek out warm, decomposing vegetation – including compost heaps – in which to lay their eggs. Suffolk’s diverse mosaic of wetlands, heathland, and farmland provides good habitat across much of the county, and the species is relatively widespread compared to other reptiles. Maintaining rough, undisturbed grassland, wetland edges, and suitable egg-laying sites – including leaving garden compost heaps undisturbed in summer – supports Grass Snake populations across Suffolk. Image: © Neil Rolph, Flickr.

Find out more: Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, iNaturalist