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Snake ID Dordogne France

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    Posted: 05 Jan 2005 at 7:09pm
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
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Vicar Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Jan 2005 at 12:42am

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
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote djp_phillips Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Jan 2006 at 3:08pm
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dan Kane Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Jan 2006 at 7:55am
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote djp_phillips Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Jan 2006 at 3:49pm
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dan Kane Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Jan 2006 at 12:02pm
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



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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote djp_phillips Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Jan 2006 at 4:57pm
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
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