[whippersnapper]

Just went for my early evening inspection to get a bit of a shock...what I think is a grass snake caught up in the calabrese netting. About 1.5ft long.

It had obviously struggled and become even more caught up in it. After 5 minutes of excitment (and slight panic checking on the net what sort it was!) I fetched some small nail scissors and started cutting it free. It didn't move a great deal once free so I lifted it onto some undergrowth and will check back after posting this to see how it is...

[whippersnapper]

oh dear...it's hardly moved....

[canwickplot]

You've more guts than me picking up a snake. Even though it's probably harmless. Does it look like it's hurt itself? I imagine if it's not moving then it's probably recuperating a little.

[galen]

Well done whippersnapper, if that happens to me I hope I can rescue it like you  I'm terrified of them, I have got as far as "stroking" a tame one, after a couple of ciders. I've heard there are some on our lottie site 

[peterjf]

hi , i bought a load of manure last year and there was a nest of 15 grass snakes in the manure straw,

frightened everyone to death , so now we got some great preditors , im hopeing this year to find a big family of hedgehogs

we are in darkest east yorkshire

[Penfold]

You've more guts than me picking up a snake. Even though it's probably harmless. Does it look like it's hurt itself? I imagine if it's not moving then it's probably recuperating a little.

Do grass snakes "bask" to get as much heat before the night....?  Keep checking the net you'll never know what you catch next...

[Bigbadfrankie]

Cricky I would moved plots instead of dealing with a snake. Well done

[scabs]

She'll have got herself pretty badly stressed and may have done herself physical damage. You did the right thing, but if she hasn't moved, it's not a good sign.

Poor thing, hope she's ok...

[diggerjoe]

I dread ever finding one on the plot I'm not just scared absolutley terrified of them I think that would be a test as to how fast I could run! Hence i keep all my grass short and areas clear in case I spot one so I can leg it

[scabs]

Usually, the grass snake will be gone long before you have turned to flee! 

Beautiful animal and whilst they will give you a bite if handled, they are not harmful.

However, unless they are in danger and distress, I see no reason whatsoever to handle them - I never did understand Steve Irwin's 'I'm an environmentalist' thing - why did he have to leap from a truck to pick up a deadly Mamba or whatever..?

Sorry, I'm ranting.

How's the poor thing today, has it gone?

[whippersnapper]

Sadly, the snake didn't make it through the ordeal. Quite sad.

Just been to check on him and he was in exactly the same place I left him last night, completely motionless. No response at all, unlike last night when the 1st half of his body was clearly active. I should think some sort of internal injury was the problem. Also, I don't know how long he was there for so could have been baking in the sun all day? There was blood stained saliva seeping from his mouth this morning so definately not good. 

RIP. I shall think of you as I eat my broccoli soup.

[scabs]

What a pity. It didn't sound good to be fair.

[Lee G]

What a sad end to an interesting and unusual thread.

[8doubles]

Sorry to hear the snake died , in the unlikely event that it should happen to anyone else it may be an idea to put the snake in a bucket with 1/2" of water in it somewhere shady so it can cool off and rehydrate. Grass snakes are very aquatic.

[scabs]

Very good advice.

I was going to suggest a finer mesh net too, but I didn't want Whippersnapper to think I was criticising him in particular.    To be honest, it's just one of those unfortunate, flukey accidents...