Smooth Snake

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   I think I have just spotted a smooth snake in my garden. At first I thought it was an adder because it had what looked like zig-zag markings all down it's side's but when I looked again I saw that it was dots that looked like lines all down it's back and sides. After looking at photos on the net I am certain that this is a smooth snake.As I am afraid of snakes I didn't get too close. It was basking in the sun on a piece of old wooden panel that the logs from our log shed are stacked on. When it saw or heard me it slithered away underneath the wood again. I returned about an hr later and it was back again (at least I think it was the same one) again it slowly moved away. My dog was interested in it so I called him away. Would it hurt either my dogs or my cat at all if they touched it. Also I wouldn't want them to hurt the snake.   

Edited by lamby

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lamby Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 14 Aug 2005 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote lamby Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Smooth Snake Posted: 14 Aug 2005 at 11:58am
	I think I have just spotted a smooth snake in my garden. At first I thought it was an adder because it had what looked like zig-zag markings all down it's side's but when I looked again I saw that it was dots that looked like lines all down it's back and sides. After looking at photos on the net I am certain that this is a smooth snake.As I am afraid of snakes I didn't get too close. It was basking in the sun on a piece of old wooden panel that the logs from our log shed are stacked on. When it saw or heard me it slithered away underneath the wood again. I returned about an hr later and it was back again (at least I think it was the same one) again it slowly moved away. My dog was interested in it so I called him away. Would it hurt either my dogs or my cat at all if they touched it. Also I wouldn't want them to hurt the snake. Edited by lamby

Vicar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 02 Sep 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1184	Post Options Post Reply Quote Vicar Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14 Aug 2005 at 12:00pm
	Kay, In what part of the country do you live ? that could help ID a lot. Have a quick look at this link too: http://www.herpetofauna.co.uk/identification.htm Smooth snakes are completely harmless to dogs or humans. They have far more to fear about getting hurt than inflicting any damage . Edited by Vicar
	Steve Langham - Chairman Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group

lamby Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 14 Aug 2005 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote lamby Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14 Aug 2005 at 12:02pm
	Vicar, I live just outside Lyme Regis in Dorset.

Vicar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 02 Sep 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1184	Post Options Post Reply Quote Vicar Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14 Aug 2005 at 12:05pm
	Oh, you're in the right part of the country, maybe a little West, but the Dorset members will soon put me right . I'd suggest dropping an Email to Chris at the HCT, he'll be interested in the sighting. Chris' Email: chris.go@herpconstrust.org.uk Edited by Vicar
	Steve Langham - Chairman Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group

lamby Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 14 Aug 2005 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote lamby Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14 Aug 2005 at 12:10pm
	Thank's I will email him now. As I said, I don't know much about snakes at all, so hopefully he can help me

Vicar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 02 Sep 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1184	Post Options Post Reply Quote Vicar Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14 Aug 2005 at 12:15pm
	You may have missed the edit I made earlier...but nothing whatsoever to fear from a Smooth snake, they are completely harmless to your pets. Your puss may get interested in it tho, and hurt it. If you can get a photo to post on here, that would be awesome ! :P All snakes are deaf, but can sense ground vibration, so if you do approach it, use slow, measured footsteps. The minute it detects you it'll be off, they are all shy animals, and will be terrified of you ! :P
	Steve Langham - Chairman Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group

lamby Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 14 Aug 2005 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote lamby Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14 Aug 2005 at 12:22pm
	Unfortunatly I do not have a digital camera, so I cannot send you a photo. But I will try to get one of it on my normal camera next time it appears. Thanks for all the info

lamby Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 14 Aug 2005 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote lamby Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 22 Aug 2005 at 5:19am
	Hi David, Unfortunatly I do not have a digital camera, but I have been to the spot where I saw the snake last Saturday several times a day since, trying to get a photo on my normal camera. Sadly I haven't been able to spot it since then. Although it looks as if it has been out again as there is slight gappings in the dead leafs from under the wood store. You are more than welcome to have a look there yourself to see if you think it could be the right habitat for it. From checking pictures I have seen on several sites on the net it certanly looks like a smooth snake not a grass snake or an adder, but I would like to know for sure. Let me know if you want to come down and what day you can make it. Regards Kay