(c) Dr Chris Gleed-Owen - Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (www.arc-trust.org)

<i>Natrix natrix</i> .Grass Snake feigning death
   
Natrix natrix .Grass Snake feigning death
   
The Grass Snake has a couple of defensive ploys when threatened by a perceived predator. One is the emission of a noxious smelling fluid which we can't really photograph - although the facial expression of someone who has got covered in it might be worth one! The second ploy is simply to play dead like this one. It is remarkably convincing and the snake will quite determinedly retain this pose until you put it down and move away for a few minutes.