Grass snake - stmartins.at

Dear explorer, dear explorers,

It’s me, the grass snake, one of six snake species found in Austria. I’m considered harmless, I’m non-venomous, and I’m most commonly found near bodies of water—including Lake Neusiedl and the ponds of the Seewinkel region. But there’s plenty more interesting things to learn about me.

See you soon! Your grass snake

_{Header image: Andreas Eichler, via Wikimedia Commons
Article image: Andreas Eichler, via Wikimedia Commons}

Occurrence

_{Photo credit: Isiwal, via Wikimedia Commons}

The range of the grass snake covers almost all of Europe (except Crete, Malta, and the Balearic Islands), Northwest Africa, and the Near East as far as Lake Baikal. As the most common snake species in Austria, grass snakes inhabit both lowland areas (e.g., the Lake Neusiedl region) and mountainous regions up to 2,000 meters in elevation.

Grass snakes generally inhabit the same habitats as amphibians, their primary prey. As the year progresses, they move from riparian forests, swamps, and reed beds near water to drier forests, parks, and gardens.

Appearance

_{Photo credit: Charles J. Sharp, via Wikimedia Commons}

The snake is a relatively large, robust grass snake with an oval head and round pupils. Males reach a body length of approximately 60–80 cm, while females measure 80–150 cm.
The upper body is gray-green to gray-brown; on the back of the head are two yellow or yellow-orange crescent-shaped spots followed by a broad black spot. Occasionally, completely black specimens are also found. The scales of the grass snake are distinctly keeled, a characteristic of snakes that are very good swimmers.

Way of life

The grass snake is a ground-dwelling, diurnal and crepuscular species that is an excellent swimmer and diver; during very hot summers, it also hunts at night. It is relatively shy and capable of very rapid escape movements. Like all reptiles, grass snakes are cold-blooded; their body temperature rises and falls with the outside temperature. The grass snake likes to warm up on paved surfaces (roads, bike paths, etc.) so it can bring its body up to operating temperature more quickly. Unfortunately, these “sunbathing” sessions often end fatally.

Diet of the grass snake

Amphibians such as toads (especially common toads), frogs, and newts, as well as fish, reptiles such as lizards, and small mammals

Reproduction

_{Image credit: Georg Wilhelm}_{, via Wikimedia Commons}

Mating begins in April, sometimes forming large mating groups of over 50 individuals, with many males vying for the attention of a few females. Between June and August, they lay 30–50 eggs per clutch in decaying organic material, such as piles of leaves, compost heaps, or manure piles; neighboring clutches totaling up to 3,000 eggs have also been found. Under favorable temperatures (28–30 degrees Celsius), development takes about 4 weeks; under unfavorable conditions, young snakes hatch only after about 10 weeks. Grass snakes begin searching for frost-free, mostly underground quarters for hibernation at the end of September.

Special features

_{Photo credit: Darius Bauzys}_{, via Wikimedia Commons}

If grass snakes are disturbed or caught, they generally do not bite, but instead release a foul-smelling liquid from their cloaca. When faced with great danger, such as from predators, they also employ the so-called play-dead reflex, in which they go completely limp like a dead animal and let their tongue hang out of their mouth. This can cause the predator to lose interest, allowing the snake to quickly make a getaway.

Safari status

_{Photo credit: Bouke ten Cate,}_{via Wikimedia Commons}

During the warmer months, we occasionally come across grass snakes while out for a walk. However, because they are so shy, they often disappear before you even notice them, so you usually only see the tip of their tail vanishing into the thicket. Sometimes you might also find a so-called “snake skin,” the shed skin of the snake. On the Water Adventure Safari, you can learn more about the grass snake and other aquatic animals, and you might even spot this snake while swimming.

Build a grass snake pile.

A Garden for Grass Snakes

Test your knowledge!

Discover a new species each month and, with a little luck, win a Seewinkel-Safari voucher for two.

Good luck with your participation and explorer greetings,
your nature experience team of the St. Martins Spa &Lodge

Contest Rules:
The current contest runs until May 31, 2026. The winner of a safari voucher for two people will be selected from among all participants who provide the correct answer in a closed-door drawing. The winner will be email by email . Cash redemption of the prize and legal recourse are excluded.