7
Grass Snake (Natrix natrix)
This reptile is fairly common in marshy areas where ponds
and rivers occur and where its food of amphibians or fish
may be caught. It sometimes sets up home by garden ponds
and will fish out small goldfish etc. When seen the first
features to catch the eye are the yellow patches behind
its head and the colour is generally olive green. The
grass snake loves the sun and will bask early in the day
after feeding. I have also seen one ten feet up a small
tree in Epping Forest trying to catch the last rays of
sunshine as the sun dipped behind the tall trees. In the
last two years the grass snake has been recorded from
Fingringhoe Wick Reserve, Margaretting, Epping Forest,
North Stifford, Broxbourne Country Park, Waltham Abbey
and Broxted.
Thank you again to those who have sent in records of
Amphibians or Reptiles and please keep sending more. I am
always pleased to answer queries relating to these
animals and dead specimens could always be sent if
identification is dubious.
D.R. Scott,
Court Hill,
Church Lane,
Little Leighs,
Chelmsford, Essex CM3 1PG
Tel: Great Leighs 475
AMPHIBIANS SURVEY: LONDON BOROUGHS OF BARKING, NEWHAM.
REDBRIDGE AND WALTHAM FOREST
The Staff of the Passmore Edwards Museum would like to
obtain the following information from members of the public:
1. Have they any Progs, toads or newts in their gardens?
2. The address of their gardens? Does it have a Pond?