grass snakes by garden pond

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   I have a garden pond established four years ago.  It now has, frogs, newts,damsel flies, often hawker dragonflies and three goldfish and a couple of tench. Today I noticed a grass snake, probably young as body very thin  and  a pale yellow. About 20cm long. It went under a flat slab of york stone at the end of the pond. A few years ago my neighbour had a mature grass snake at the bottom corner of our small fenced gardens but sadly his dog killed it. There  are shrubs and leaf mould etc so the habitat is suitable. I hope our new resident will not eat the tiny newts.
Should I refrain from adding small goldfish?  I know a visiting cat must have scratched some introduced last summer as they were found floating dead. The survivers are doing well and I would like to add some more.  Elizabeth

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Elizabeth Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 09 Jun 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1	Post Options Post Reply Quote Elizabeth Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: grass snakes by garden pond Posted: 09 Jun 2004 at 6:07pm
	I have a garden pond established four years ago. It now has, frogs, newts,damsel flies, often hawker dragonflies and three goldfish and a couple of tench. Today I noticed a grass snake, probably young as body very thin and a pale yellow. About 20cm long. It went under a flat slab of york stone at the end of the pond. A few years ago my neighbour had a mature grass snake at the bottom corner of our small fenced gardens but sadly his dog killed it. There are shrubs and leaf mould etc so the habitat is suitable. I hope our new resident will not eat the tiny newts. Should I refrain from adding small goldfish? I know a visiting cat must have scratched some introduced last summer as they were found floating dead. The survivers are doing well and I would like to add some more. Elizabeth

administrator Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 01 Jan 2007 Status: Offline Points: 10	Post Options Post Reply Quote administrator Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Jun 2004 at 7:32pm
	A grass snake will not have much of an impact on newts or goldfish, yes they mightl take them, but not in large numbers. Are you sure it was a grass snake, you describe it as very thin and pale yellow, grass snakes do appear slender but are usually brown or olive green. Edited by administrator