# So are there any snakes in Ireland now? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [January 4, 2005, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-are-there-any-snakes-in-ireland-now/283065 "2005-01-04T18:35:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/47e85d/32.png) [@Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Lance_Murdoch)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2005, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-are-there-any-snakes-in-ireland-now/283065/1 "2005-01-04T18:35:20Z")
In reference to [http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mirishsnakes.html](http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mirishsnakes.html) Is The Emerald Isle still snake-free? I would think in this global age it would be nigh to impossible to keep stowaways, pets and souvenirs out of the country. The introduction of snakes has been devastating to the ecosystems of other islands. Has Ireland managed to fend of serpentine invaders? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2005, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-are-there-any-snakes-in-ireland-now/283065/2 "2005-01-04T21:29:22Z")
As far as I know, so far there are still no snakes in Ireland. According to [this](http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/oct98/909588917.Zo.r.html): > [@](#): > > Apparently, attempts have been made to introduce grass snakes to Ireland (usually done surreptitiously by individuals, and invoking the rage of most Irish) but these have failed. Such failures could simply be due to the small numbers of snakes introduced, or to the unappealing (to snakes) climate, or to a combination of these factors. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2005, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-are-there-any-snakes-in-ireland-now/283065/3 "2005-01-04T22:21:27Z")
Snakes from Britain could not go forth and multiply, for they were adders. Yea, verily. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2005, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-are-there-any-snakes-in-ireland-now/283065/4 "2005-01-04T23:14:25Z")
In Britain, the Adder is heavily endangered, and the (IIRC) two other indigenous species are also in decline. Ireland’s climate and habitat would be just about sufficient for the Adder, but various man-made circumstances would prevent a population to establish itself. And in any case, nobody keeps them as pets. The species which are kept are pretty much incapable of surviving outside anywhere in the British Isles, certainly not enough to establish themselves. ---
**Author:** ![Saltire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saltire/32/553_2.png) [@Saltire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saltire)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2005, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-are-there-any-snakes-in-ireland-now/283065/5 "2005-01-05T20:43:24Z")
> [@AskNott](#): > > Snakes from Britain could not go forth and multiply, for they were adders. Yea, verily. _snerk_ Good one. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2005, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-are-there-any-snakes-in-ireland-now/283065/6 "2005-01-05T22:50:50Z")
> [@Asknott](#): > > Snakes from Britain could not go forth and multiply, for they were adders. You bet your sweet asp. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2005, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-are-there-any-snakes-in-ireland-now/283065/7 "2005-01-06T00:41:22Z")
> [@AskNott](#): > > Snakes from Britain could not go forth and multiply, for they were adders. Yea, verily. But one day a nice Irish park ranger built them a log table, so they could multiply by adding.