Grass snake

Grass snake
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 2.3)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Colubridae
Genus:	Natrix
Species:	N. natrix
Binomial name
Natrix natrix (Linnaeus, 1758)
Natrix natrix range map
Synonyms
Coluber natrix Linnaeus, 1758 Natrix vulgaris Laurenti, 1768 Tropidonotus natrix - F. Boie, 1827 Natrix natrix - Stejneger, 1907

The grass snake (Natrix) is a non-venomous snake. It is often found near water and feeds almost exclusively on amphibia and lizards.

The grass snake is widely distributed in mainland Europe, from mid Scandinavia to southern Italy. It is also found in Middle East and northwestern Africa.

There is a native species in Great Britain called the barred grass snake (Natrix helvetica). Both Natrix natrix and Natrix helvetica were considered to be part of the same species until it was reclassified into two species in 2017.

Work by the Senckenberg Research Institute in Germany lead a study into the genetics of over 1,600 grass snakes.

References