David
Element
Wildlife
Photography
and Digital
Video Images
___
Amphibians and Reptiles 16 - Grass Snakes 1
GRASS SNAKE Natrix
natrix helvetica
GRASS SNAKE Natrix
natrix helvetica
- The collar markings of Grass
Snakes are variable. They may be bright yellow,
cream or entirely absent. The snake in the first
photograph is about to slough as the skin covering the
permanently opened eyes has turned milky white. The
forked tongue has not been fully extended yet. This
highly sensitive organ is used to detect scent molecules
and it is flicked out repeatedly when a snake is seeking
prey or sensing danger. Grass Snakes spend much of their
time near to or in water where Common Frogs Rana
temporaria form a major component of their
food. These colubrids are non-poisonous
and despite their maximum length of over four feet they
pose no threat to humans. Compost heaps are invaluable
for nesting purposes as the temperature and humidity are
ideal for incubating the eggs.
Links
to 'ARKive' species
accounts:
-> Amphibians
and Reptiles 1
-> Amphibians
and Reptiles 2
-> Amphibians and Reptiles 3
-> Amphibians and Reptiles 4
-> Amphibians
and Reptiles 5
-> Amphibians
and Reptiles 6
-> Amphibians and Reptiles 7
-> Amphibians and Reptiles 8
-> Amphibians and Reptiles 9
-> Amphibians
and Reptiles 10
-> Amphibians and Reptiles 11
-> Amphibians and Reptiles 12
-> Amphibians and Reptiles 13
-> Amphibians
and Reptiles 14
-> Amphibians and Reptiles 15
-> Amphibians and Reptiles 16
-> Amphibians and Reptiles 17
-> Amphibians and Reptiles 18
-> Amphibians and Reptiles 19
-> Amphibians and Reptiles 20
-> Amphibians and Reptiles 21
-> Amphibians and Reptiles 22
-> Amphibians and Reptiles 23
-> Amphibians
and Reptiles 24
-> Amphibians and Reptiles 25
-> Amphibians and Reptiles 26
-> Amphibians and Reptiles 27
-> Amphibians
and Reptiles 28
-> Amphibians
and Reptiles 29
-> Amphibians
and Reptiles 30
-> Amphibians
and Reptiles 31
-> Amphibians
and Reptiles 32
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Common Names
-> Index,
Scientific Names
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Element.