Are There Snakes in Ireland? Facts and Myths in 2024
If you’re thinking about spending any amount of time in Ireland, you naturally want to know what kind of dangers to look out for. For those of us fearful of insects and reptiles, you might wonder are there snakes in Ireland?
Snakes can be found in almost every country across the world. They can survive in almost any climate, and many can be very venomous and harmful to humans.
Luckily, Ireland is an incredibly safe country both in regards to its nature and wildlife and its people and city safety. The most dangerous animals to watch out for in Ireland are bulls, bees, the occasional exotic jellyfish that washes onshore, and seagulls! But there are no snakes, scorpions, large predatory animals, or even dangerous sharks.
Are There Snakes in Ireland?
No, snakes are not indigenous to or common in Ireland and can not be found in the wild. Snakes are, however, still allowed as pets, so the occasional escaped snake has been spotted.
There are not even harmless grass snakes and luckily no venomous snakes in Ireland. Snakes are not a concern for travelers or expats to Ireland.
The Myth Behind There Being No Snakes in Ireland
Snakes and Ireland have an interesting connection that dates back to a myth from the 5th century AD. Legend has it that St. Patrick (a patron saint of Ireland) banished all snakes from the island of Ireland by chasing them into the sea from the top of a cliff.
He is actually credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland, and snakes are a metaphor for ridding the island of paganism.
The Facts of Why There Are No Snakes in Ireland
The story of St. Patrick banishing snakes from Ireland is clearly a myth. The real reason that Ireland doesn’t have any snakes is largely due to its climate.
Ireland would have had snakes during Pangea when Ireland’s landmass was connected to Europe. However, about three million years ago the Ice Age occurred and snakes (cold-blooded reptiles that need warmth) were no longer able to survive in Ireland.
The climate in Europe has changed many times since then with multiple ice ages. The last one, estimated by scientists to have occurred about 15,000 years ago happened after Ireland was split off from mainland Europe. The 12-mile water gap (the North Channel) between Ireland and Scotland solidified the fact that there are no snakes in Ireland.
Animals such as the wild boar, lynx, and brown bear (now extinct in Ireland) did manage to still make it across to Ireland. Along with the only reptile to be found in Ireland, the lizard.
What Kind of Snakes Are in Ireland?
The only snakes that can be found in Ireland now are pet snakes.
Pet snakes became a symbol of status and wealth during the Celtic Tiger years (Ireland’s economic growth era) in the late 1990s. During the economic recession of 2008, many people couldn’t afford to care for their pet snakes and so let them loose.
Snakes turned up in the wild and many random places across Ireland (especially outside of Dublin) during the following years. Luckily, snakes didn’t actually spread very far in the wild so there are still no populations of snakes in the wild.
Have There Been Snake Bites in Ireland?
Yes, unfortunately, there have been venomous snake bites in Ireland. The first one was reported in 2020 when a man was bitten by a puff adder, a venomous snake native to semiarid regions.
The issue with venomous snakes in Ireland is that because there are no native ones and none in the wild, there’s no antivenin readily available. The only authorized holder of antivenin in Ireland is the National Reptile Zoo, and it’s not always a reliable source.
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What Other Reptiles Are Found in Ireland?
Beyond the common lizard that lives all over the island, Ireland does not have any other native reptiles.
Pond slider turtles have started showing up in Irish lakes and ponds, most likely because of pets that have escaped or their owner released them.
Ireland is also visited by some sea turtles including the loggerhead sea turtle, green sea turtle, and hawksbill sea turtle. Though they are not native to Ireland.
Are There Crocodiles in Ireland?
There are no wild crocodiles in Ireland. However, there is no restriction on crocodiles as pets in Ireland. So, yes, technically crocodiles can be found in Ireland.
Why Are There Snakes in Britain but Not in Ireland?
Britain still has snakes because Ireland’s land bridge to mainland Europe was lost by melting ice glaciers about 8,500 years ago and Britain’s remained for an additional 2,000 years. Snakes in Europe simply had more time to populate Britain’s land than it did Ireland’s.
There are only three species of snakes that are native to the United Kingdom: the Grass Snake, the Adder Snake, and the Smooth Snake.
Are Pet Snakes Allowed in Ireland?
Yes, pet snakes are allowed in Ireland.
Ireland adheres to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. The Convention does not prohibit trade in venomous snakes, which can legally be imported to Ireland, though venomous snakes as pets in Ireland are rare.
Ironically, dog owners in Ireland need a license but you can buy a snake or alligator without a license.
Are There Any Reptile Zoos in Ireland?
Snakes can be found in zoos in Ireland but there is only one reptile zoo – The National Reptile Zoo in Killkenny. The zoo is great for those who want to better understand these animals in the wild, the challenges they face, and how important they are to our ecosystem.
The National Reptile Zoo has animals from turtles to crocodiles and of course, snakes! The zoo has Animal Encounters every day where everyone gets the chance to hold or touch some of the creatures.
Adult admissions tickets start at €12.90.
Spending some time in Kilkenny?
➡️ Check out this FANTASTIC private walking tour around the medieval streets of Kilkenny.
Which Country Has No Snakes at All?
There are actually multiple countries that don’t have any snakes. There are no native species of snakes in Iceland, Ireland, Cape Verde, Greenland, parts of the United States (Hawaii and Alaska mainly), New Zealand, parts of Canada, northern Russia, and Antarctica.
Are There Spiders in Ireland?
Yes, there are over 370 species of spiders in Ireland. Only a very are venomous enough to cause any harm to humans.
Ireland’s most venomous spider is the False Widow Spider. Also known as Steatoda Nobilis, it usually has an overall size of 20mm and is characterized by a dark brown color with a bulbous abdomen (Irish Mirror).
Luckily, you don’t need to worry if there are snakes in Ireland you should be worried about. Ireland is a lovely country full of greenery and gorgeous scenery to be explored! Try exploring out in the Irish mountains and at some of the popular natural sites such as the Gaps of Dunloe or enjoy the wildflowers during spring break in Ireland.
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☘️FAQs About Ireland☘️
✈️ Where Can You Find the BEST Flight Deals to Ireland?
1. Scott’s Cheap Flights – FREE flight deals alert, works best if you can be flexible
2. Skyscanner – FREE search engine, great for budget flights + deal
❗Is Travel Insurance Required in Ireland?
No, it’s not.
However, it’s always recommended to have travel insurance any time you travel in case of injury, accident, lost luggage, missed flight, etc. The best and most affordable travel/expat insurance is Safety Wing.
>>>CLICK HERE FOR INFO
☔️ When Is the Best Time to Visit Ireland?
Summer (June-August) – is the warmest and rains the least but you will have the most crowds.
Spring (March-May) or Fall (September-November) – are cooler and have more rain but you will beat the crowds and see some incredible wildflowers (spring)/greenery (fall).
🏠 Where Should You Stay in Ireland?
Hotels, hostels, vacation rentals, and house sitting are all available in Ireland for accommodation. My top recommendations for each are:
• Booking.com
• Hostelworld
• Vrbo (usually better options than Airbnb in Ireland)
• Trusted Housesitters (watch a home/pets in return for a FREE place to stay)
☘️ Where Can You Find Tours?
I found incredible tours in Ireland >>>HERE for private and guided group tours of both the most popular attractions and ones that fit your specific interests.
🚘 Should You Rent a Car in Ireland?
I always tell my friends and family to rent a car in Ireland so that they don’t miss out on the gorgeous scenery and wonderful things to do in between the big cities! However, if you plan to stay only in the cities, then you should be fine getting by with buses and walking.
>>> What to know about driving in Ireland
>>> The best car rental in Ireland
🍻 Make sure to try out the pubs! Even if you don’t drink, the atmosphere, live music, and friendly people are very uniquely Irish.
