IT is not every day you see a lightning-quick snake making a meal out of a frog.
But Brian Merry, of Bromwich Road, St John’s, Worcester, managed to capture the wild scene in his back garden.
“I was photographing a frog sitting on my garden pond when suddenly a grass snake struck out,” said Mr Merry, who e-mailed the amazing snaps to your Worcester News.
“It grabbed the frog then swam off with it halfway down its body.”
While grass snakes are common throughout the UK, local experts said Mr Merry was lucky to catch the feeding frenzy up close.
“Snakes are more scared of us than we are of them,” said Alan Shepherd, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust’s principal ecologist.
“Grass snakes in particular will disappear as soon as they see or smell us. They’re quick too. They’ve got to be to catch frogs.”
Grass snakes (Natrix natrix) are not poisonous. But while harmless to humans, they’ll happily feed on newts, frogs, lizards, mice, and birds’ eggs. They will eat fish, too, if they’re given the chance.
“Garden ponds have been hailed for saving frogs,” said Mr Shepherd.
“The grass snakes have simply followed, but within the city of Worcester it’s a privilege to find one in your garden.
“They have wide-ranging territories and they’re fussy about where they live. If you do have one taking up residence in your garden you should feel glad that it’s chosen you. It’s a sign that you’ve created a healthy wildlife habitat.”
Grass snakes live in both dry and wet habitats. They favour warmth and will often climb on to compost heaps to lay their eggs.
But a word of warning for anyone tempted to pick a grass snake up, when threatened they hiss and, as Mr Shepherd gently put it, will “void their bowels” which leaves a foul and lingering smell.
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