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Snake in the Pyrenees: |
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tim-f Senior Member Joined: 13 Apr 2008 No. of posts: 60  View other posts by tim-f |
Posted: 04 Dec 2009 Hi all. A friend of mine saw this in the Pyrenees in June. It's obviously above the snow line and happy in water - any ideas?
I assumed it was one thing, but my friend (after some discussions and research) thinks it's something else - and I wouldn't want to give you experts any clues just yet I'd be interested to know what you think. Tim.
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Iowarth Admin Group Joined: 12 Apr 2004 No. of posts: 222  View other posts by Iowarth |
Posted: 04 Dec 2009 Speaking as a total non-expert, looking at the rather slim build, pale centre to the zig-zag and apparently slightly upturned nose - and, last but not least, where it was seen, I'll go for Vipera aspis. I will now wait for Tony to tell me I am a complete plonker! Chris Chris Davis, Site Administrator Co-ordinator, Sand Lizard Captive Breeding Programme |
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Vicar Senior Member Joined: 02 Sep 2004 No. of posts: 1181 View other posts by Vicar |
Posted: 04 Dec 2009 I suspect you're right Chris. Possibility of it being Seoanei? (depends on where in the Pyrenees). Steve Langham - Chairman 
Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group (SARG). |
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Iowarth Admin Group Joined: 12 Apr 2004 No. of posts: 222 View other posts by Iowarth |
Posted: 04 Dec 2009 I wondered about seoanei as well Steve. Discounted it (tentatively!) largely on the basis of it being so slim. It might be just my ageing eyes but I couldn't make out whether it had a single (berus/seoanai) or double (aspis) row of scales beneath the eyes - that would have made it a little more definite in one way or t'other! But only a little - to the best of my knowledge even this isn't a dead cert! Probably the most difficult area in which to be sure of identification without a lot more detail. Chris Chris Davis, Site Administrator Co-ordinator, Sand Lizard Captive Breeding Programme |
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Jeroen Senior Member Joined: 03 Nov 2004 No. of posts: 121  View other posts by Jeroen |
Posted: 05 Dec 2009 It's a rather typical Vipera aspis zinnikeri, with the paler central zone. Vipera seoanei is extremely restricted in the Pyrenees. Not in areas where you'd expect to still have snow in June, I seem to recall. Usually lacks the upturned snout, which is visible in the 3rd picture. I've seen asp vipers cool themselves down in water a couple of times in the warmer months of the year. Jeroen Speybroeck http://www.hylawerkgroep.be/jeroen/ |
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tim-f Senior Member Joined: 13 Apr 2008 No. of posts: 60 View other posts by tim-f |
Posted: 07 Dec 2009 Thanks for the replies. Seems pretty clear it's a V Aspis then. I must admit, I (rather lazily and without knowing much about the snakes of the Pyrenees) assumed it was a V Berus. My friend had concluded it was a Natrix Maura, which I didn't know of at all - interesting though. I'll let him know - next time he might not get quite so close.
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- Snake in the Pyrenees |
