What is the best way to track down wild snakes?

Question

I would love to see them in thier natural habbitat and haven't seen any alive ones! Only dead ones on the road! I live in the south of france so it shouldn't be too hard to find them!

My ultimate goal is to handle a wild garter snake or grass snake before releasing it back into the wild.

Answer 1

The best ways to find snakes are:

Road hunting. When the nights start to cool off, travel slowly along hard-surfaced roads at night and look for snakes trying to soak up the warmth. You need to know which roads to use for this- the road needs to be near good snake habitat.

Debris flipping/Field hunting. Find a good hunting space with some things like tin sheets, old signs, flat rocks, and similar 'junk' around. Carefully lift the debris and look underneath. Be careful because there are often bees, etc. under there!

There are other techniques you can pick up as well, but these will get you started.

Answer 2

Wait until the warmer months as snakes are cold blooded and hibernate during the cooler months. In the warmer months snakes come out and bask in the sun (sometimes on the road and thats why you see them squished). Go on nature walks into bushs and forests and you will see them in their natural environment. Snakes are very sensitive and if they hear your footsteps (snakes don't have ears but sense vibrations through their toungues) they will slither away and hide as they are a very shy animal. I don't know alot about Snakes of France but I would not recommend picking up wild snakes if you don't know what you're doing. Good luck on your expedition though as it is great seeing them in their natural environments.

Answer 3

Juat get out an look under old trees tires tin make sure you know what you are picking up

Answer 4

Dress up as a mouse