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Snake ID Dordogne France: |
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GemmaJF Admin Group Joined: 25 Jan 2003 No. of posts: 2090  View other posts by GemmaJF |
Posted: 05 Jan 2005 I'm a new member.maybe your other members can help with identification of this snake..sorry no pictures.
Several found in the Dordogne area of France
All found dead in October...probably hit by cars
About 30cms long and slim
medium grey body with tiny scales
head and neck putty colour i.e. cream with a hint of green
a number of black squiggles on head.
could this be an immature aesculapian snake? time of year suggests not. any ideas?
Posted by admin on behalf of Robert Wallman Gemma Fairchild, Independent Ecological Consultant |
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Vicar Senior Member Joined: 02 Sep 2004 No. of posts: 1181  View other posts by Vicar |
Posted: 09 Jan 2005 Had a quick look at my France distribution maps - looking at Dordogne area. These are all snakes which are listed, Suggest you check out some pics using a web search engine ? Montpellier snake (you were a little N of usual range) Western whip snake - Possibly a Juvenile, tho would expect some black markings on body. Aesculapian snake, not sure about black squiggles Ladder snake (again you were a bit N) Grass snake Viperine Snake Smooth (& southern) snake Adder (maybe) Asp viper Couldn't see a good fit to your description. Your quoted lengths are quite short, don't suppose they could have been slow-worms ?, though again, not sure about squiggles. Good hunting :P
Steve Langham - Chairman 
Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group (SARG). |
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David Bird Forum Specialist Joined: 17 Feb 2003 No. of posts: 515 View other posts by David Bird |
Posted: 18 Jan 2005 The size and time of the year would be suitable for a hatchling Aesculapian Snake. If you let me have an e-mail address I should be able to send a picture of a juvenile so that you can see if it is the same, British Herpetological Society Librarian and member of B.H.S Conservation Committee. Self employed Herpetological Consultant and Field Worker. |
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djp_phillips Senior Member Joined: 09 Jan 2006 No. of posts: 180 View other posts by djp_phillips |
Posted: 28 Jan 2006 I am a French herp 'specialist', I'd say coronella austriaca, Malpolon (montpellier snakes) don't occur there... Could at that size be a juvenile Western whip snake, although it may also be an Aesculapian snake, but, giving the time of year, it is for me a coronelle, because in late summer, begining automn, they do prefer cool cloudier temp. and as you found more then one... Hierophis & Zamenis are much rarer... See photos opn my site (reptilia-amphibia.net) Reptiles & Amphibians of France: www.herpfrance.com European Field Herping Community: www.euroherp.com |
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Dan Kane Senior Member Joined: 30 Dec 2005 No. of posts: 201  View other posts by Dan Kane |
Posted: 29 Jan 2006 Yes, i'd say Coronella austriaca (Smooth Snake), as they prefer cooler and cloudier weather then other snakes in that region. Dan www.randacumbria.moonfruit.com |
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djp_phillips Senior Member Joined: 09 Jan 2006 No. of posts: 180 View other posts by djp_phillips |
Posted: 30 Jan 2006 Dordogne is where the Americain bullfrog has a colony Reptiles & Amphibians of France: www.herpfrance.com European Field Herping Community: www.euroherp.com |
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Dan Kane Senior Member Joined: 30 Dec 2005 No. of posts: 201 View other posts by Dan Kane |
Posted: 31 Jan 2006 It's also bred in the Po Valley in N. Italy, and in N. Kent, but all I know is that attempts were made to stop it. Dan www.randacumbria.moonfruit.com |
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djp_phillips Senior Member Joined: 09 Jan 2006 No. of posts: 180 View other posts by djp_phillips |
Posted: 31 Jan 2006 yes, but they are meant to be quite common compared to other places in Dordogne. I am going there in late spring, I hope to find coronella austriaca and Rana catesneiana. Also Vipera Reptiles & Amphibians of France: www.herpfrance.com European Field Herping Community: www.euroherp.com |
- Snake ID Dordogne France |