EVERY summer I receive an influx of enquiries from worried residents of Sussex who have spotted a snake in their garden.

I am always disappointed that people are so scared of snakes, especially as I love them.

Perhaps it is an innate reaction left over from our days on the African plains when a snake bite could mean death?

Or maybe it’s just another sign that people are becoming more and more disconnected from the wildlife that surrounds them?

Whatever the reason, I want to help people learn to love snakes.

There are three species of snake native to the UK, but we only commonly get two of them in Sussex: grass snakes and adders.

Grass snakes have a black and cream/yellow collar behind their head and a series of 'dots and dashes' running their flanks.

Adders are smaller and have a 'V' or an 'X' on their head with a thick black zigzag running down the body.

Grass snakes are most often seen in gardens, often visiting those with ponds to feed on frogs and toads. They are non-venomous and completely harmless, so if you are lucky enough to see one, just let it be.

Adders can give a nasty bite, but they rarely come into gardens and spend most of their time moving away from people.

They don’t want to waste their venom biting something they can’t eat so will only use it to defend themselves as a last resort.

There are only around 100 adder bites reported in the UK each year, and the vast majority of these come from people who tried to pick up a snake – not a smart thing to do.

Be reassured, if you see a snake in your garden, it is just a sign that you have created a fantastic wildlife-friendly space. Well done!

  • Jess Price is a conservation officer at the Sussex Wildlife Trust