Where have snakes been seen in Cambridgeshire this year?

Typically found in long grassed areas, snakes have long had the reputation of being mean and deadly creatures.

The UK is home to many harmless snakes, but there is one venomous species that found in the UK - the adder.

We have pieced together all of the snakes, including adders and grass snakes, and mapped them for Cambridgeshire and the whole of the UK. 

Grass snake sightings in Cambridgeshire

Huntingdon x 1 

Wisbech x 2 

March x 1 

Peterborough x 1

Adder snake sightings in Cambridgeshire

Peterborough x 1

Stamford x 2

Which snakes are found in UK gardens?

According to the RSPCA, there are only three native snake species in the UK and can typically be found in the wild or in gardens during warmer weather.

Adder 

Adder snake. (Image: Getty)

The Adder (Vipera berus) is native to the UK but has been declining across the UK in recent times.

Known as the UK's only venomous snake, it can grow to around 70cm with a distinctive zigzag pattern down their back, red eyes and a vertical pupil.

If an adder were to bite you, it could be very painful but is very rarely fatal, however, you should still seek medical help.

Grass snake

A grass snake (Natrix helvetica) is often found in England and Wales and mostly in gardens.

The grass snake usually has olive green colour skin with large eyes and round pupils and can grow to be over a metre long.

The UK natives have distinctive collars behind their heads and are also the only native snake species to lay eggs.

The grass snake likes to use compost heaps to lay their eggs which are typically sort and leathery eggs.

Left a Smooth snake and on the right a Grass snake. (Image: Getty)

What to do if you find a snake in your garden? 

An RSPCA spokesperson said: “Snakes are extremely shy creatures and will try to move away from disturbance - if you come across a snake our advice would always be to enjoy watching these secretive animals from a distance and never try to pick one up.

“A native snake that doesn’t move away when approached may be injured or sick. If you find a snake you think is injured or sick, please call our helpline on 0300 1234 999.

“If you suspect a snake is an exotic pet rather than a native species – keep a safe distance and call the RSPCA’s helpline 0300 1234 999 for advice. The snake could be an escaped pet which may be venomous.

“All our native reptile species are protected by law; it’s an offence to intentionally injure, kill or trade a wild snake. ”

For more information visit: www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/wildlife/snakes