common european common european snake extremely widespread found western_europe far known host common names including common common subject folklore britain european countries regarded especially dangerous snake aggressive usually bites alarmed disturbed bites painful seldom fatal specific new latin time refer snake possibly grass snake common found different habitat complexity essential different aspects behaviour feeds small mammals birds amphibians cases spiders worms insects common like females breed years litters usually born late summer early autumn litters range size young staying mothers days adults grow total length including tail mass subspecies recognized including nominate subspecies described snake considered threatened protected countries derived old english word generic meaning older forms languages commonly old english version christian scriptures devil book genesis 14th century apron changed umpire keeping wide distribution familiarity ages large number common names english include common european common european european northern common crossed european common european common cross common cross sweden norway denmark snake known roughly translated striking cutting finland known simply estonia known lithuania known description relatively thick bodied adults usually grow total length including tail average maximum size varies region largest found scandinavia specimens observed occasions france great_britain maximum size mass ranges grams head fairly large distinct sides flat vertical edge snout usually raised low ridge seen scale visible immediately rarely small scales usually large plates frontal longer wide rectangular tiny scale frontal long narrow large distinct separated frontal small scales situated shallow depression large nasal scale eye relatively large equal size slightly larger nasal scale smaller females usually small scales temporal scales smooth rarely weakly usually numbers largest rarely separated eye single row small scales rows alpine specimens dorsal scales rows rarely strongly scales bordering ventral scales scales loosely attached skin lower rows increasingly wide closest ventral scales twice wide ones ventral scales number males females anal plate single paired numbering males females colour pattern varies ranging light coloured specimens small incomplete dark dorsal entirely brown ones faint clear darker brown markings individuals entirely dark lack apparent dorsal pattern kind dorsal pattern entire length bodies tails head usually distinctive dark dark streak runs eye neck continues longitudinal series spots flanks unusual snakes sexes possible tell apart colour females usually brownish dark brown markings males pure grey black markings basal colour males slightly lighter females making black pattern stand individuals females geographic range wide range found land mass northwestern europe great_britain scandinavia germany france southern europe italy serbia albania croatia montenegro republic macedonia bulgaria northern greece eastern europe north russia pacific_ocean north_korea northern northern china found north snake species type locality originally listed proposed restricting type locality sweden eventually restricted designation european countries notable native snake snake species native britain grass snake smooth snake non conservation status united_kingdom illegal kill harm sell common endangered switzerland protected countries range found protected areas species listed protected appendix iii convention describes conservation status concern view wide distribution presumed large population broad range habitats likely slow rate decline acknowledges population decreasing reduction habitat variety reasons populations europe intense agriculture practices collection pet trade venom extraction recorded major contributing factors decline habitat sufficient habitat complexity crucial requirement presence species order support behaviors foraging offer protection predators human harassment found variety habitats including downs rocky sandy meadows rough edges woods sunny slopes coastal dunes stone venture wetlands dry ground available nearby found banks streams lakes ponds southern europe southern france northern italy found low lying wetlands high altitudes swiss alps ascend hungary russia avoids open habitat likely occur russia occur forest zone behaviour species mainly especially north range south said active evening active night summer months predominantly terrestrial species known climb banks low bushes order search prey usually aggressive tending biting alarmed people generally stepping attempting pick usually disappear hint danger return quiet spot occasionally individual snakes reveal presence loud sustained hoping warn potential turn pregnant females threatened body drawn shape prepare strike species cold adapted winter great_britain males females days respectively northern sweden lasts months mild winter days emerge snow melted travel snow adults juveniles die feeding diet consists mainly small mammals mice slow worms taken feed amphibians frogs birds reported consumed especially eggs climb bushes generally diet varies depending locality juveniles eat mammals small frogs worms spiders reach length diet begins resemble adults reproduction hungary mating takes place week april north happens later second week observed june early october known autumn result young females breed years years seasons short climate severe males find females following scent trails tracking hundreds meters day female found flees male follows courtship involves parallel flowing behavior tongue excited tail pairs stay days mating males chase away rivals engage combat starts aforementioned flowing behavior culminating dramatic dance act males confront raise body vertically movements attempt push ground repeated exhausted find mate notes seen win contests frustrated defender aroused courtship refuses lose chance mate records biting taking place bouts females usually birth august september early july late early october litters range size young usually born transparent sac free succeed freeing membrane inside female measure centimetres total length including tail average total length born fully functional venom apparatus reserve supply yolk bodies shed skins time day females appear interest offspring young observed remain near mothers days birth venom rapid rate human expansion range species bites relatively common domestic animals livestock frequent victims great_britain instances occur march october sweden bites year estimated require different available bites species describe venom relatively low compared species cite reported values mice comparison test minimum lethal dose guinea pig necessary venom brown gives higher range agree venom yield low mentions specimens length brown lists relatively speaking bites species highly dangerous britain known fatalities year old child near fatal bite year old woman essex year old woman died following bite germany clear death effect venom professional medical help sought soon possible bite occasionally bites life threatening particularly small children adults experience discomfort disability long bite length recovery varies year local symptoms include immediate intense pain followed minutes minutes swelling sensation containing blood common pain spread hours reddish lines appear limb swollen bruised hours swelling spread trunk children entire body rare symptoms resulting dramatic appear minutes post bite delayed hours symptoms include abdominal fever loss consciousness shock face lips tongue throat left symptoms persist hours severe cases failure occur taxonomy species recognised subspecies subspecies regarded species recent publications
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