says he was inspired to become a TV wildlife presenter by the “foul” smell of snake farts. The Really Wild Show and Springwatch host used to head out into fields where he grew up in Southampton, Hants, to catch grass snakes. Speaking to Harry Hill on the Are We There Yet? podcast, the TV god, 63, said: “To find and catch a grass snake requires stealth.
“When you catch grass snakes, one of their defence mechanisms is to secrete a liquid from their vent – essentially their bottom. “Most people perceive it as foul-smelling, but I liked it. It was the smell of success – it meant I’d caught a grass snake.
” He added: “I’d keep them for a little while and then release them.’’ Revealing their impact on his life, Chris said: “It’s how I got here today.” Yesterday, we reported that Packham admitted he would love to become a bird.
He reckons it would be great to live as a “smart” jackdaw – a type of crow. And his dream would be to fly around Corfe Castle in Dorset, nicking people’s lunches. The TV presenter said: “In the jackdaw population there are groups of male jackdaws that never breed.
Essentially they just sort of have a bachelor’s life without any of the encumbrance of responsibility. “And there’s always a nice jackdaw population on Corfe Castle, which is one of the most attractive ruined castles in the UK.”.
