Grass Snake

Natrix natrix

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The grass snake (Natrix natrix) is a medium-sized snake from the Colubridae family, widely distributed across Europe, including Poland. It is characterized by its greenish or olive coloration with distinctive yellow or white markings on the sides of its neck, which are its most recognizable features. Adult individuals typically measure between 70 and 120 cm in length. Grass snakes inhabit a variety of environments but prefer moist areas such as riverbanks, lakeshores, wetlands, and deciduous forests. They are non-venomous and generally avoid human contact. Their diet mainly consists of amphibians, fish, and small rodents. When threatened, they can produce hissing sounds and sometimes feign death as a defense mechanism. This species is mostly active during the day and breeds intensively in the spring. The grass snake plays an important ecological role by helping control populations of amphibians and other small animals. It is partially protected in Poland mostly due to habitat loss.