ALL of the snakes that have been spotted in Pembrokeshire 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 Pembrokeshire 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 11 snakes spotted so far in Pembrokeshire in 2024 according to The Record Pool, including seven adders.

The recorded Pembrokeshire sightings

Two grass snakes were spotted near Crymych on June 24, where an adult grass snake was also seen near there on July 18. There has also been a grass snake spotting in the Narberth area on July 31.

The area around Haverfordwest is labelled as the place where you are most likely to spot an adder in Pembrokeshire – with five recorded sightings between April 1 and July 12 recording there as the nearest town or city.

An adult adder was also seen in Newport April 13, whilst a young added was recorded in the Trefin area on May 12.

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.