Head to head
Dice Snake vs Grass Snake
Dice Snake
VS Grass Snake
The dice snake and grass snake are two harmless European water snakes in the genus Natrix that hunt in and around water and play dead when cornered.
| Dice Snake | Grass Snake | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Natrix tessellata | Natrix natrix |
| Pattern | An olive to grey body marked with dark squares in a chequered pattern | A band of yellow, cream, or orange behind the head, followed by a black crescent on each side |
| Diet | Mostly fish hunted underwater, and also amphibians | Mainly amphibians, especially common toads and frogs, plus newts, fish, and occasionally small mammals and nestling birds |
| In the water | Has eyes set high on its head, and swims and dives well, staying underwater for a long time | Swims with its head held up in ponds, ditches, canals, and slow rivers |
| Defence | Flattens its body, hisses, and may play dead, sometimes releasing a foul-smelling fluid | Hisses and makes bluff strikes, releases a foul-smelling fluid, and then feigns death with its tongue hanging out |
| Danger | Non-venomous and rarely bites, though often mistaken for a viper | Harmless to people and not a constrictor, swallowing its prey alive |
| Range | Rivers, lakes, and ponds from central Europe through the Balkans and the Middle East to Central Asia and China | Most of Europe into western Asia and North Africa, in damp habitats including wet meadows, marshes, and gardens |
| Conservation status | Least Concern, though some populations are declining | Least Concern |
Dice Snake vs Grass Snake: common questions
Why is it called the dice snake?
It is named for the dark squares on its olive to grey body, which form a chequered pattern like the dots on dice.
Which one eats mostly fish?
The dice snake, which feeds mostly on fish hunted underwater, while the grass snake eats mainly amphibians.
Do both play dead?
Yes, both the dice snake and the grass snake may play dead when threatened, sometimes releasing a foul-smelling fluid first.