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Snake ID Dordogne France

Printed From: Reptiles and Amphibians of the UK
Category: General
Forum Name: What is it?
Forum Description: Seen something in the wild and wondering what it is? This is the place to ask
URL: http://www.herpetofauna.co.uk/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=835
Printed Date: 28 Mar 2024 at 1:15pm
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Topic: Snake ID Dordogne France
Posted By: administrator
Subject: Snake ID Dordogne France
Date 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



Replies:
Posted By: Vicar
Date 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     mailto:steve@surrey-arg.org.uk">
Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group


Posted By: djp_phillips
Date 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:
http://www.herpfrance.com - www.herpfrance.com

European Field Herping Community:
http://www.euroherp.com - www.euroherp.com


Posted By: Dan Kane
Date 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


Posted By: djp_phillips
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2006 at 3:49pm
Dordogne is where the Americain bullfrog has a colony

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Reptiles & Amphibians of France:
http://www.herpfrance.com - www.herpfrance.com

European Field Herping Community:
http://www.euroherp.com - www.euroherp.com


Posted By: Dan Kane
Date 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



www.randacumbria.moonfruit.com


Posted By: djp_phillips
Date 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:
http://www.herpfrance.com - www.herpfrance.com

European Field Herping Community:
http://www.euroherp.com - www.euroherp.com



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