Grass snakes slither to Scotland
19.05.12
ENGLISH grass snakes have moved north of the border and could become a new native species of reptile in Scotland, experts have said.
The non-venomous creatures are thought to have moved north because of recent warm weather, and have been sighted at least three times in recent years.
Though native to England, until now they were not thought to be living in the wild in Scotland. The snakes can grow up to two meters long.
But now a wildlife expert has said he has discovered the snakes in Dumfries and Galloway, which are ‘incontrovertible proof’ the animals have moved north.
As well as the three confirmed sightings, there have been three other possible sightings in the area.
Chris Catherine, a member of the Clyde Amphibian and Reptile Group, and director of the Caledonian Conservation company, said: “This is very exciting because it’s the first incontrovertible proof that grass snakes are present in the wild in Scotland.”
Mr Catherine first began investigating the snakes after spotting one in a pond in Upper Nithsdale in 2010.
Source: Deadline News