Most snake bites in the UK are not serious. But it’s important to get all snake bites checked as soon as possible.

  • Stay calm, most snake bites in the UK are not serious and can be treated
  • Keep the part of your body that was bitten as still as you can
  • Lie in the recovery position if you can
  • Take paracetamol for any pain
  • Try to remember the colour and pattern of the snake that bit you to tell the doctor as it could help them treat it.

You will usually need to stay in hospital for at least 24 hours if you have been bitten by a snake. The bite will be cleaned and bandaged. You may be given an injection to help protect you from tetanus.

If you were bitten by a poisonous (venomous) snake you will be treated with a medicine to fight the venom. This is given through an intravenous infusion into a vein, (often called a drip)

Also see:
Veterinary Services
Local Accident and Emergency Units

Types of UK snake

Only 3 types of snake are found in the wild in the UK. The adder is the only venomous snake, but you should get all snake bites checked as soon as possible.

adder snake
Adders are grey or reddish-brown, with a dark zig-zag shaped stripe down their back.
grass snake
Grass snakes are usually green, with dark spots down their sides and yellow and black bands around their neck.
smooth snake
Smooth snakes are usually grey or brown with a dark pattern. The pattern down their backs are lighter and less zig-zag shaped than on adders.