Snake problem!!! In our garden

[Nosha123]

OK.. I need some reptilian advice please!
Husband pops home from work today to find a large snake (about 2 ft long) basking on our garden path - with the cat watching it.. and when it moved into the bushes - right next to the path the cat tried to go after it!

I am now fretting about the cat getting bitten!!!! I have been gardening before and was sure I could hear hissing.. but never actually seen one and thought I was imagining it!

There is a moat at the bottom of our garden and its full of dirty water - and we saw a smaller snake swimming in there too...

Dont know what snake it is - husband thinks either adder or grass snake. What worries me is the fact file on BBC site says which ever kind - they are mating now... and will then have babies!!!!! Nest is usually somewhere warm.. like a compost heap or pile of rotting logs - BOTH OF WHICH WE HAVE!!!

What do I do - what help can you give me and can a grass snake or adder kill a cat?
What signs should I look for if he is bitten!!!
(I am going to call our vet too!)

Can I get rid of the snakes?
Are they protected species?
What does the nest look like - I have found a small hole in our garden - sort of size for a mouse or rodent... but not sure whats living in there!!!

[joggerjayne]

hides

[redman41]

http://www.crislis.co.uk/adder/about_adders.ht m
Hi Nosha !
Does the snake(s) look anything like the above ?
The only poisonous snake we have in the uk is the Adder. Grass snakes and slow worms are harmless but if you are worried about beasties in the garden you could seek advice from RSPCA ,or if you have an Animal Welfare Centre in your area you could contact them for advice.

[Nosha123]

Hi again Redman!
Not sure - but Hubby thinks it was a grass snake... which are apparently harmless and just cause irritation or infection when they bite...
The only thing is - so many pictures of snakes on the web look different - I dont know what it was.
Bit scared now! Cant believe the hissing I hear when gardening was actually a snake! I just dismissed it at the time!!! GROSS
What does a snakes house look like?? Would it be a hole in the ground... about 50mm wide?
If so I know where one of those is in my garden!!!

[redman41]

Grass snakes will hiss when they feel threatened but rarely bite or are poisonous. Irresponsible people who keep snakes as pets will release them outdoors when they cannot cope anymore. You could do with getting a second opinion from someone locally just incase it is neither an Adder or Grass Snake. Hate to think that you may have an Anaconda lurking in your Moat !!!!! LOL
Ring your local Animal Welfare Society and see what they say. You should find thir Tel No in Yellow Pages.

[lankeela]

Should you think your cat may have been bitten (the site will swell up very quickly) then get it to the vet straight away, as the quicker it is treated the better the chances of saving it, as a bite from an adder can kill a large dog, let alone a cat.

[lankeela]

http://www.cat-world.com.au/SnakeBites.htm

[Nosha123]

Thank you Lanekeela!

Trying not to panic - but forewarned is forarmed!

Lets hope Harvey Pickle Pants doesnt get himself into a pickle!!

[paraffin]

Have your moat dredged and charge it to the taxpayers!

[Nosha123]

Like it Parafin!!! I wish I could!
Now get back to my other post in Legal and give me some more advice!!!!

[fuxake]

Adders are protected species, so you can't kill them. If anything, you should be extremely happy that you have snakes in your garden, as they're extremely rare in this country.

Chances are, they will leave the cat alone, as cats are extremely versatile. Remember, cats are born predators :P

Also, if you are bitten by the adder, there is a very small chance you will die. It will hurt, but a trip to the hospital will see you fit and well in no time.

Plus side of having snakes - no rodents in garden. And with the cat too, that means you can have a pest free garden.

[Nosha123]

Thanks fuxake (good name by the way!!)
I would never kill a snake.. I feel bad just putting insect repellant and slug bait out!!! SO could not bring myselff to harm an animal (or reptile!)

Just hope the snake has the same thoughts for my curious cat!!!! Whats even worse.. is his favourite game of all time is chasing a piece of ribbon through the grass in the garden!!!

How bad do I feel now!!!! I've been encouraging it!!!

[sandmaster]

When I was a child there was a field opposite my home where grass snakes were very common - we used to collect them and let them go after a short time.
The were adders too. The grass was long in summer, lots of bushes and trees. But none of us kids were ever bitten. Snakes like a quiet life and I think you can rest assured that unless one feels threatened by you there is nothing to fear.

[sandmaster]

I meant to add your cat is another matter. He/she will try to play with a snake and the snake will probably not appreciate the attention. Cats are very quick though so it should be ok.

[jake-the-peg]

The snake has way more to fear from your cat than the other way around.

Our neighbours cat has brought in a few mangled snakes in her time.

I suspect it's a grass snake they're much more common and do love water.

Personally I think they're quite striking and good to have around, they hunt mice and other pests but I guess if you have a thing about snakes that's not going to help

[Lottiegirl]

i live in norfolk lots of adders here black zig zag markings down back holiday dogs sometimes get bitten good advice from vet take collar off immediately and give a piriton tablet then get to vets. adders are shy will clear off will only bite if trod on or hurt. wish ypu well post the outcome for us thanks

[sara3]

just move house.. I know I would!!

[jason.p]

One thing I do remember about grass snakes is the awful smell when handling them. I believe they discharge some sort of gland as a defence mechanism.

[BeatySwalls]

its ok its all back in my trousers and zipped up now. panic over ladies

[caththecrazy]

Think adders usually hiss just before they bite!!!!

We had one in the garden yesterday - nearly had a fit as hate snakes and had about 20 children in the garden the day before for my son's birthday party.

Saying that he (I had it on good authority from my neighbour it was male) slithered off out the back