A fascinating reptile that has only recently been recognized as its own species, separate from its close relatives. For years, it was thought to be just a regional type of the common grass snake, but new research has shown it is distinct. The differences between the two are easy to spot. The common grass snake usually has a bright olive-green body with small black spots, while the barred grass snake is more greyish-brown or dark olive-grey. Its most noticeable feature is the series of dark vertical bars along its sides, which give the species its name. Both snakes have a pale yellow or white ring around their neck, but in the barred grass snake, this ring often fades or disappears as the snake gets older.
Besides its unique look, the barred grass snake has many interesting behaviors that most people never see. It is highly aquatic and swims gracefully, spending much of its time in ponds, slow streams, and marshes, hunting frogs, toads, and newts. Since it is non-venomous and its teeth are too small to hurt people or large animals, it relies on dramatic defense tactics.
When threatened, the barred grass snake may puff up to look bigger and lunge forward, but it keeps its mouth closed, so it just bumps the threat. If this does not work, it releases a strong, foul-smelling liquid from its scent glands. This smell is hard to remove and is meant to make predators think the snake is rotten and unsafe to eat.
If a predator is still not scared off, the snake uses its most dramatic defense: it plays dead. It rolls onto its back, goes. Some snakes even bleed frhs and eyes to make things out. Some snakes even bleed from their mouths and eyes to make the act more convincing, staying still until the danger passes
Distribution
Belgium
Croatia
France
Germany
Italy
Luxembourg
Monaco
Netherlands
Slovenia
Switzerland
United KingdomAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
