All of the snakes that have been spotted in Carmarthenshire have been mapped by experts to try to better understand the creatures.
Typically found in long grassed areas, snakes have for long had the reputation of being deadly creatures.
The UK is mostly home to harmless snakes, but there is one venomous species that found – the adder.
Adders can be identified by their distinctive zigzag pattern down their back, red eyes and a vertical pupil, and they can grow to around 70cm.
Grass snakes are widespread in England and Wales, and are often found in gardens. They are usually an olive green colour and have a distinctive collar behind their heads, with large eyes and round pupils, and can grow to be over a metre long.
Smooth snakes are the least common in the UK, mostly found in the south of England in heathlands. They are typically a greyish brown in colour, have a dark stripe down the side of their face, a heart-shaped pattern on their head and a pattern of spots and bars along their back.
We have pieced together all of the snakes, including adders, grass snakes and smooth snakes, and mapped them for Carmarthenshire and the whole of the UK so you can see if any have been spotted on your regular walking routes.
There have been a total of 33 snakes spotted so far in Carmarthenshire in 2024 according to The Record Pool, including two adders.
The recorded Carmarthenshire sightings
An adult adder was recorded near Llandovery on June 25, whilst a young female adder was sighted near Carmarthen on June 29.
31 grass snakes were spotted in one go on July 21 near Llanelli, which included one adult snake and 30 young snakes.
What to do if you see a snake
The RSPCA advice if you see a snake in your garden or In the wild is to not disturb them. However, you should contact the RSPCA is the snake appears sick or injured.
If you come across a snake which is not native to the UK, it is likely an escaped pet. The RSPCA advises that you keep your distance and contact them.
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