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When checking in on the slow worms living in my old compost bin I noticed they had a new lodger. I think it's a black barred grass snake. Anyone know for certain what type it is?
Edit: added better picture
Assume you're in the UK, looks like a melanistic (black) grass snake to me. They like to lay their eggs in compost heaps. You could report your sighting with your local amphibian and reptile group (e.g. Surrey amphibian and reptile group) or with the national register https://www.recordpool.org.uk/
Yeah listen to natrix.......melanistic Natrix natrix
Thats way more exciting than my compost bin.
Nice, and lucky to have them
Its Jörmungandr - Ragnarok is upon us.
Cheers folks. I'll report it on the link above. We have up to 20 slow worms living in there too so leave that composter well alone apart from dropping in a load of slugs and snails every few weeks.
Cool to see. Just seem to have the mother of all ants nests in our compost bin.
Cool, great compost bin, we are jealous!!
Asps, very dangerous. You go first
Either a black grass snake or possibly one of these?
Indiana Jones and the compost of doom
Seems pretty happy in there with all the slow worms. I’d agree with everyone else that it’s a melanistic grass snake, if you could see the sides of its head the two curved coloured band are a dead giveaway.
Plane Jane the super brain. 😉