grass snakes

[lynch]

hi all im abit new to reptiles but i have been facinated by the since i was about 4 but sadly my parents wouldnt let me have one. but the other day i found a grass snake in mt school toilets lol and i would like to know how to look after it properly. Eventually when i get mt own place i will get something more exciting like a python or something.

any way back to the grass snake at the moment he/she is in a reasonable sized tupper ware pot lol iv covered the base with newspaper and put a water bowl and a hiding place in there for him. he seems quite happy and has eaten a few crickets since i got him (about a week ago).

i have done alot of reading and found that it is a natrix natrix and can reach in excess of 100cm (the larged snake in england). can any one twll me what kind of vivarium setup would be suitable for him.

will this do for a metre long snake??
http://www.livefoods.co.uk/product_i...roducts_id=579

and if so what other stuff would you recomend i get???

thanks alot
josh

[gillsboy]

not tryin to b funny m8 but if u fouind it then it is wild and should be released to its natural habitat imo i love british reps but would never keep them as pets which is why i want to work in conservation when i leave school

[NNY]

Sorry to tell you this but grass snakes from the wild arent allowed to be kept over here. Its probably best if you actually let it go.

[Anthony]

Good point Gillsboys
It is also illegal

Many Thanks Anthony Young

[SilverSteno]

It is illegal to keep ANY wild UK animal in captivity as a pet. Please release the snake back into the wild where it belongs.

[gillsboy]

yea i couldnt remember if it was illegal to keep them or weather ti was trading them

[CyberFae]

Hi there,

Sadly it is illegal to keep snakes native to this country in captivity. My best advice is to find a nice area of grass/scrubland and release it.

You can buy corn snakes for fairly cheap, they start at around £25, they are excellent starter snakes and have the same temperment as grass snakes. Snakes mostly eat rodents, and you can readily buy pre-frozen mice and rats to feed them. there are many good caresheets around, if you send a PM to Cornmorphs (one of our cornsnake experts) I'm sure he can advise you on what heating and sizer tank they will need; corn snakes are not native to this country so require warmer temperatures. the equipment can seem a little pricy, but your snake may live to 20 years so it is worth it! Sorry to say you will have to let your new pet go, but I hope you do take up herpetoculture (the keeping of reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates) as it is a wonderful, fun and rewarding hobby. Welcome to the forum, and welcome to the world of herping!

[t-bo]

I thought it was only illegal to 'trade'

The only UK species to be offered FULL protection are Crested Newt, Natterjack Toad, Sand Lizard and Smooth snake.

A link:
http://www.threadnaught.net/~caleb/uklaw.html

Id agree though it would be best to release it

[SilverSteno]

Thought it was also illegal to keep any wild animal in captivity, it is the case for wild birds whereby they can only be kept in captivity for rehabilitation purposes. Guess wild birds get a better deal than reps if the rules are different...

[SilverSteno]

Okay found more detail from the JNCC and theuy say...

The Act makes it an offence (subject to exceptions) to intentionally kill, injure, or take, possess, or trade in any wild animal listed in Schedule 5, and prohibits interference with places used for shelter or protection, or intentionally disturbing animals occupying such places. The Act also prohibits certain methods of killing, injuring, or taking wild animals.

This is the Schedule 5 listing here - http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-1815