the online meeting place for all who love our amphibians and reptiles |
|
A snake ID challenge |
Post Reply | Page 123> |
Author | |
Madfossa
Senior Member Joined: 28 Aug 2011 Location: Essex Status: Offline Points: 79 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Posted: 22 Aug 2012 at 11:28pm |
Hi folks,
Not been on for awhile, i saw this today....any ideas please If you want the orig photo email me madfossa@gmail.com thanks Ian |
|
sussexecology
Senior Member Joined: 30 Sep 2010 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 411 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Grass snake No zigzag pattern on back. Regards SE Reptile Ecologist |
|
Madfossa
Senior Member Joined: 28 Aug 2011 Location: Essex Status: Offline Points: 79 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Thanks for that, interesting.
I saw grass snakes there as well and all were the usual olive green, this was very dark,(i know you can get melanistic ones) about 15-20inches, quite squat, no yellow collar. I have seen this one twice and a larger similar coloured one. I'm not saying it isnt a grass snake, but i have seen plenty of them and this didnt have the usual demeanour.... my original thought when i saw its whole shape was an adder...i've also seen adders there too
Edited by Madfossa - 22 Aug 2012 at 11:54pm |
|
sussexecology
Senior Member Joined: 30 Sep 2010 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 411 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Thanks madfossa Could you email the whole pic to me. My eyes are so tired at the mo as working late tonight but seeing the whole pic would be nice too. Thanks. Funnily enough, the colour does look green online which is why i thought it was grassie, but i have seen some even darker grassies (as they had the yellow collar). Can't see a zigzag but will have another look when i get some time. Got to get some more work done so until next time then... Regards SE rEPTILE ecologist |
|
Madfossa
Senior Member Joined: 28 Aug 2011 Location: Essex Status: Offline Points: 79 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Sent to your "info" email
Ian
|
|
AGILIS
Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1689 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Looks like a gravid ca to me keith
Edited by AGILIS - 23 Aug 2012 at 7:30am |
|
LOCAL ICYNICAL CELTIC ECO WARRIOR AND FAILED DRUID
|
|
GemmaJF
Admin Group Joined: 25 Jan 2003 Location: Essex Status: Offline Points: 4359 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I have seen the occasional adder with the zig-zag completely broken up which produces a similar pattern.
But I can also see why Keith would think smooth snake. If location rules out smooth snake I would say it is an adder. It looks from the picture that the blotches are slightly misaligned, if you play join the dots you end up with a typical adder zig-zag? It really doesn't look like a grass snake to me though. But then again I remember well Tony posting up a grassy with a 'proper' adder zig-zag a few years back!
A head shot would of course solve the problem! Edited by GemmaJF - 23 Aug 2012 at 11:20am |
|
Madfossa
Senior Member Joined: 28 Aug 2011 Location: Essex Status: Offline Points: 79 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
thanks,
i'll try and get that headshot, general consensus seems to be adder on the arg facebook group and twitter. The markings threw me. Four species of reptile in this one location in EF, it the 1st time this year i have recorded them :) |
|
Richard2
Senior Member Joined: 01 Dec 2010 Status: Offline Points: 285 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
The shape of the scales looks more Adder than Grass Snake to me. They don't seem to have the longer, sharper oval shape of a grass Snake's.
Richard
|
|
GemmaJF
Admin Group Joined: 25 Jan 2003 Location: Essex Status: Offline Points: 4359 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I agree Richard, and if the location is EF - it's an adder.
|
|
Post Reply | Page 123> |
Tweet
|
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |