for JD
- Thread starter EdS
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resnikov
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
It looks very much like a Viperine snake, which is a common European snake in the same family as our Grass snake. If this was found in the UK, it is an escapee, and it is actually a blessing it got killed, as they will readily mate with Grass snakes. Grass snakes occur in South Eastern Europe with yellow lines running down them like that, but we certainly don't get them in the UK. The strength of the lines and patternation in that snake though, certainly point to a Viperine.
resnikov
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Viperines are just like Grass snakes, but with bolder black markings and the two yellow lines. Sometimes the black dorsal markings form a zig zag, which is why they got the name Viperine, as they resembled the pattern adders and other European vipers have.
I don't suppose the body is still there is it? I'd love to get a DNA sample.
we have a good selection of grass snakes and adders.
The was a lovely grass snake a couple of years ago basking under the apple tree. It was that dark it looked black with a very bright yellow collar.
The was a lovely grass snake a couple of years ago basking under the apple tree. It was that dark it looked black with a very bright yellow collar.
Never knew that - it was alive when I moved it along.
It wasn't on the side of the road later, but i'll have a good look a some point.
I'll keep my eyes open for more.
What is the best thing to do if I find more, ignore, kill (after positive id) or deliver to JD?
It wasn't on the side of the road later, but i'll have a good look a some point.
I'll keep my eyes open for more.
What is the best thing to do if I find more, ignore, kill (after positive id) or deliver to JD?
If it wasn't dead then, then it was definately close to it judging by the state of it. Looks emaciated and in a right state.
Best thing to do if you see one again is to just leave it and get some good pictures. I doubt there will be a population of them and it is probably just an escaped pet. That one certainly won't be going far or mating again. If you find a dead one, I'd really be grateful if you could bag it and send it to me. I'll re-imburse any costs.
and escapee would explain why it was tame.
Not the first like this I've seen, so I'll keep adn eye out for then.
Not the first like this I've seen, so I'll keep adn eye out for then.
resnikov
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
This more out of curiosity then anything else but can you post dead animals? Or is it a case of dont mention whats in the box when you post it?
resnikov
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Yeah when you put it like that it makes sense.
Royal Mail do draw the line at posting live cobras though. Have to use a specialist courier for that.
Great idea. With the young being born in late August/September, that will be perfect to attract them and get an idea of what exactly is happening around there.
It wouldn't be the first time an foreign invader survives and populates an area. I particularly like the scorpions in the Portsmouth area supposedly. You spot them at night on walls with a UV light I believe. They kinda glow spookily.
Its not good if a native species hybridises out of existence but if two apparently different species do mate are they truly separate? IIRC from my biology GCSE lessons separate species are unable to breed together but I guess that is not true considering ligers exist in some zoos.
Are there many other cases of two different snakes interbreeding? Anyway good luck in checking this viperine out JD. It will be interesting to find out what you find out about them, whether there is a population there or not.
Its not good if a native species hybridises out of existence but if two apparently different species do mate are they truly separate? IIRC from my biology GCSE lessons separate species are unable to breed together but I guess that is not true considering ligers exist in some zoos.
Are there many other cases of two different snakes interbreeding? Anyway good luck in checking this viperine out JD. It will be interesting to find out what you find out about them, whether there is a population there or not.
