Watch out for snakes!

[Andy M]

I was up at the hill today and came across a grass snake basking itself on the trail (on the first berm after KFC). I saw it again about 1/2 hour later, this time it reared up and hissed at me. I was stoked as I have never seen a wild snake in the UK before.

BTW, I had to use google to find out what type of snake it was as I am no expert. It was a matt olive green, had a yellow and black bit around its neck and was probably about 70-80cm long. It can also move a lot quicker than I though it would be able to.

[c2crider]

Is this the character?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Ringelnatter_%28Natrix_natrix%29_head.jpg

It's a grass snake, and is completely harmless, it probably only reaered because it was scared. Hopefully we don't have any pythons etc at the hill!

[Fwogddy]

Didn't fish have a similer incident a while back? :devil:

[Andy M]

Yes, that's him.

I've searched the forum for 'snake' and found that Mr Fish saw one almost exactly two years ago. It's probably the same fella.

[mr fish]

i saw a similar snake on the berms on "snakes" :D made me jump and yes it had a suprising turn of speed :eek:

[Rick Brown]

Charlotte and Zakk saw one last year at the 1st table on the 48 its nice to know that they are about on the trails, and it just shows you, that the trails and all the riding we do up there has little effect on the enviroment and the flora and fauna that inhabits are trails

Conservation ROCKS:tune: :rez: ARE WILD LIFE

[Kenny B]

There's grass snakes AND adders up the hill. At certain times of year they look pretty similar so it's worth assuming they're Adders unless you're sure. Adders can bite (very rare) and the bite can be fatal (1 in 10,000). The best way to avoid them is make plenty of noise as you're walking about and they'll avoid you. Adders are an endangered species so don't mess with them. Definitely don't pick them up because even if they don't bite you, if you scare 'em they exude a pungent gunk all over themselves which is apparently disgusting. By the way - last year I was surrounded by grass snakes in Laughton woods, there was one big one - about 1metre and loads of little ones. Scarey!

[c2crider]

The best thing to remember is that a snake will only bite if provoked, or scared. Just do what kenny b said and you should be fine!

[Rick Brown]

Zakk found another one at the hill today, a little tiny baby one like a shoe lace, it was so cute :) on the old school trail please be careful not to run over them

[Baker]

I hate snakes, is all i will say.

Notice how i didnt come look at the one Zakk found today Rick :P?

[swifty15uk]

just make sure you shout, "rider up"
should be fine :p