Grass Snake

About the Grass Snake

A common harmless snake of Europe, usually olive green with a yellow and black collar behind the head. An excellent swimmer that hunts amphibians and fish. When threatened it may play dead, rolling over with its tongue hanging out, and release a foul-smelling fluid. It often lays its eggs in compost heaps, where rotting vegetation provides warmth. The barred grass snake of western Europe was recognized as a separate species in 2017.