Grass snakes seek cool gardens in Belgium amid heatwave

MAASMECHELEN, Belgium – Grass snakes are increasingly venturing into gardens in Maasmechelen, seeking refuge from the extreme heat that is impacting their natural habitat in the Mechelse Heide. While these snakes prefer warmth, prolonged periods of high temperatures are forcing them to seek cooler, more humid locations.

Garden ponds and water features have become attractive spots for the snakes, as they help regulate body temperature. "They like to hang around swimming pools and water features to regulate their body temperature," explains snake expert Peter Engelen of Natuurpunt. "They also find food there. Garden ponds are full of frogs, toads, and other small amphibians." This is particularly crucial during dry summers when natural breeding pools on the heath dry up, significantly reducing food availability in the wild.

Compost heaps also play a vital role, providing ideal conditions for the snakes to lay their eggs. "The heat from the decaying material creates ideal incubation conditions," Engelen continues. "A female that finds such a suitable spot will return to it every year." However, extreme heat poses a danger to the eggs. If a compost heap dries out completely, the embryos can die. Heatwaves can also cause temperatures within the incubation pile to exceed 32 degrees Celsius, which is fatal for the embryos or leads to severe deformities.

Adult grass snakes can grow up to 1.20 meters long. Despite their size, they are completely harmless to humans and pets. They are not venomous and do not bite. If threatened, a grass snake may hiss and spray fluid from its glands, which emits an unpleasant odor for several days. More commonly, they will try to flee or feign death by rolling onto their backs with their tongues sticking out. Engelen advises residents to simply leave the snakes alone, encouraging them to "learn to enjoy nature, and especially the unknown." While fewer reports of grass snakes in gardens were made in previous years, observations are increasing, with residents now often sharing sightings on platforms like waarnemingen.be.

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De ringslang is de enige inheemse eierleggende slangensoort in Vlaanderen en is volledig ongevaarlijk.