Grass snake

Reaching nearly two metres, grass snakes are the UK's largest reptile and our only snake to lay eggs. A grass snake's speed and wariness makes it incredibly difficult to spot, but once cornered it is one of the few animals that play dead as a defence against predators. If this ploy fails, a foul-smelling substance from the anus and repeated head strikes are employed to aid the escape. Grass snakes are active predators themselves of frogs and toads. Even fish, small mammals and birds aren't safe - those are grabbed and swallowed whole. Common and widespread in Europe, grass snakes are usually to be found near water where there is plenty of shelter and warm morning sunshine for basking in. They hibernate during the cooler winter months.

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