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Snake bites

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

Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E immediately if:

  • you think you, or someone else, has been bitten by a snake
Information:

Do not drive to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Bring any medicines you take with you.

What to do while you're waiting for help

If you've been bitten by a snake, there are things you can do while you're waiting for medical help.

Information:

If you're not in the UK when you are bitten by a snake, contact the emergency medical services in the country you're in.

Get foreign travel advice on GOV.UK

What happens at the hospital

You'll usually need to stay in hospital for at least 24 hours if you've 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'll be treated with a medicine to fight the venom. This is given through a thin tube into a vein, called a drip.

Types of UK snake

Only 3 types of snake are found in the wild in the UK.

The adder is the only poisonous (venomous) snake, but you should get all snake bites checked as soon as possible.

Telling the doctors the colour and pattern of the snake that bit you could help them treat it.

Grey adder with black zig-zag markings, curled up in the grass
Adders are grey or reddish-brown, with a dark zig-zag shaped stripe down their back.
Green grass snake, moving over rocks
Grass snakes are usually green, with dark spots down their sides, and yellow and black bands around their neck.
Grey smooth snake with brown pattern, curled up on ground
Smooth snakes are usually grey or brown with a dark pattern. The patterns down their backs are lighter and less zig-zag shaped than on adders.

Page last reviewed: 7 February 2023
Next review due: 7 February 2026