Research on Jersey’s grass snakes has found that their numbers are higher than first thought, but they’re still at high risk of extinction.<\/p>\n
The study, led by scientist Dr Rob Ward from\u00a0the Durrell Institute of Conversation and Ecology (DICE)<\/a>, and working with Jersey\u2019s Department of the Environment,\u00a0gives some hope for the future of this protected species. The research, published in\u00a0Scientific Reports<\/a><\/em>, reveals that\u00a0grass snakes are living at a number of nature reserves\u00a0in the\u00a0west\u00a0and\u00a0southwest\u00a0of Jersey. However, Dr Ward\u2019s research has also found that\u00a0grass snake numbers are low\u00a0and that the creatures are\u00a0extremely difficult to find, making it challenging to monitor changes in the population or estimate numbers. And, since many snakes aren\u2019t recorded, they could be at risk if any\u00a0building development starts on a new site.<\/p>\n The grass snake is Jersey\u2019s only snake and is\u00a0completely harmless\u00a0but is\u00a0rarely seen. Reasons for its decline aren\u2019t clear but may be linked to\u00a0changes in the amount and quality of its habitat\u00a0\u2013 like many species. The study is the first to give an indication of the status of Jersey\u2019s secretive grass snake population. It comes after\u00a0Dr Ward spent four years\u00a0conducting research on the snakes. During the two-year period spent searching for them,\u00a0he walked over 613 km of survey routes\u00a0and found\u00a043 different individuals.<\/p>\n The Department of the Environment will continue to work with other States of Jersey departments, landowners and land managers to make sure they have the right corridors and habitat to survive.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"