page_title: Grass snake
section_title: Feeding
hierarchical_section_title: Grass snake / Ecology / Feeding
caption_attribution_description: Čeština: Užovka obojková (Natrix natrix) požírající úlovek, ropuchu obecnou (Bufo bufo). Okres Písek, Česká republika. English: Natrix natrix eating Bufo bufo in Písek District, Czech Republic
context_page_description: The grass snake, sometimes called the ringed snake or water snake, is a Eurasian non-venomous colubrid snake. It is often found near water and feeds almost exclusively on amphibians. The barred grass snake, Natrix helvetica, was split off as a separate species in 2017.
context_section_description: Grass snakes prey mainly on amphibians, especially the common toad and the common frog, although they may also occasionally eat ants and larvae. Captive snakes have been observed taking earthworms offered by hand, but dead prey items are never taken. The snake will search actively for prey, often on the edges of the water, using sight and sense of smell (using Jacobson's organ). They consume prey live without using constriction.
caption: Eating Bufo bufo (Czech Republic)
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