Dutch grass snakes

[Marcel Poots]

Today I spotted some grasssnakes again.
http://www.cornsnakes.nl/Gallary/April2007/AmsterdamApril-04.jpg

Arrrghh, I am dead. really....
http://www.cornsnakes.nl/Gallary/April2007/AmsterdamApril-03.jpg

He did smell me but he did not see me. I was making this picture with a 200 mm lens from 6 feet away or so.
http://www.cornsnakes.nl/Gallary/April2007/AmsterdamApril-07.jpg

http://www.cornsnakes.nl/Gallary/April2007/AmsterdamApril-06.jpg

http://www.cornsnakes.nl/Gallary/April2007/AmsterdamApril-10.jpg

http://www.cornsnakes.nl/Gallary/April2007/AmsterdamApril-12.jpg

[TWGarland]

Forgive me if im wrong, but aren't they European grass snakes?

I suppose since your in the the Netherlands though and so are they, then they are dutch though right? hehe,

wicked pictures though! Can i ask how large the biggest was?

Tom

[Marcel Poots]

I suppose since your in the the Netherlands though and so are they, then they are dutch though right? hehe,

Tom

Yes, you are right. They are Natrix natrix helvetica, thet are the only subspecies of Natrix found in Holland. In other parts of Europe you can find Natrix natrix natrix and Natrix natrix persa.

About the length. They are quite small. The biggest of these is about 60 cm

Here is a big one I caught last year. Little over 100 cm:

http://www.cornsnakes.nl/WildLife/AmsterdamApril06/Natrix-01.jpg

[Tula_Montage]

I love the european rats! Ever found any leopard rats? (situla)

[TWGarland]

Wow thanks for that information, im located in the UK and love learning about our native reptiles!

Those pictures are really good, and that big fella is fully impressive!

Your so lucky to regularly see animals like that when out and about! ive never seen a grass snake in the wild here in the UK, not for lack of trying though!

Do you have any tips for the habitat requirements to look out for, to aid me in my snake spotting? i already know about the near water preference. I saw a lot of sphagnum in your pictures, do you think this may be a factor?

Ive also heard they'r pretty ready to musk is that true?

Thankyou very much
Tom

[Marcel Poots]

I love the european rats! Ever found any leopard rats? (situla)

No, unfortunatly in Holland we have only three species of snakes. The Grass snake, the smooth snake (coronella) and the black viper (vipera berus). I have spotted some other species in South France but never had the pleasure of finding a Situla.

[Marcel Poots]

Do you have any tips

Well, first of all I would tell you only to seek snakes in spring and autumn. Because Summer is too hot for snakes to be warming themselves and winter is too cold. You might want to seek only in areas where snakes have been found before. I have spend years looking for snakes in places that have no snakes to start with. Then go out on cold days (10 to 15 degrees celcius) with a lot of sun and no wind. They will be visible in the sence that they are out of hiding trying to warm themselves in the sun. Do not go turn rocks because under rocks it is too cold and there are way too many rocks and too few snakes ;) In summer you might get lucky turning a rock and finding a snake.

[TWGarland]

Thanyou very much for all that advice!

I've pretty much been doing the exact opposite of all you advised! hehe, prossibly why I've never seen one!

Cheers
Tom