Wilder Kent Blog

Learn more about the wildlife and wild places in Kent and beyond.

Species

Grass snakes in the UK: The symbol of Britain’s wilds

The British snake: do you think of a greenish snake with dark stripes down its body? That’s a grass snake you’re picturing, and for good reason. This countryside icon is the UK’s most widespread and commonly spotted snake.

Species A flat periwinkle snail on a frond of seaweed.
© Tracy Sutton

Seabed secrets: 6 lesser-known marine species

National Marine Week is our celebration of UK seas! From 26th July - 10th August 2025 we'll be showcasing the 'Secrets of our Seabeds'. One of these secrets are lesser-known marine species.

Species a black pony walking through ferns

Konik ponies in conservation

Koniks (sometimes referred to as Konik Polski) are a non-native primitive breed that originate from Poland. They are a descendant of the tarpan, a type of European wild horse that went extinct in the 19th century. They have been bred for almost 80 years to be the ideal breed for use in conservation grazing, specifically for traits of hardiness, longevity and ease of handling, and are used successfully across Europe in conservation grazing schemes.