Just yesterday, while strolling along a busy city sidewalk, I was casually scrolling through my phone, barely paying attention to my surroundings, when something unusual caught my eye.

At first glance, it seemed like nothing—perhaps a tangled piece of cloth or an old hose discarded on the pavement.

I almost walked right past it, but something urged me to stop and take a closer look.

As I leaned in, my heart skipped a beat — it was a small grass snake, crushed and lifeless. Its twisted, greenish body lay partially flattened, a haunting sight. People passed by without a glance. Cars zipped along the street, unaware of what had just happened.

But I couldn’t just look away. The image stayed with me. That little snake wasn’t just a casualty of the city—it was a sign. For weeks now, locals have been sharing strange photos and stories: snakes appearing on balconies, in backyards, slithering past apartment doors, and even slipping through vents into homes.

These encounters are happening more often, and in places you’d never imagine. Experts have started to speak up, and their warnings are troubling. With climate change accelerating and cities expanding, wildlife is being pushed into unfamiliar territory. As green areas vanish, animals face a harsh choice: adapt or perish.

The increase in grass snake sightings is only the tip of the iceberg. These creatures may not be venomous or aggressive, but their unexpected presence in our urban spaces is unsettling. It’s a reminder that the natural world, long ignored, is now encroaching on ours — and sometimes, quite literally, knocking on our door.