David Element
Wildlife
Photography and Digital Video Images
______________________________________ Reptiles 15 - Viperine Snakes
VIPERINE SNAKE Natrix
maura
VIPERINE SNAKE Natrix maura
- These
photographs of a young (non-venomous) Viperine Snake Natrix maura were
taken from the bank of the River Dourbie in
southern France showing this species performing in text-book fashion in an
aquatic habitat. David had his young daughters to thank for drawing his
attention to this subject ("Dad,
there's a snake in the water!") without screaming as he
was busily concentrating on photographing another subject at the time. The
stills camera was rapidly sacrificed for a mini-DV when the photographer
realised that the snake was approaching, apparently unaware of his
presence. The result was a 90 second video clip (see link below) showing
the snake passing by at close range and then disappearing into the river.
The juveniles of several European snake species - including some poisonous
ones - have a mottled appearance and full identification was only possible
later on. The second photograph has been enlarged in order to illustrate
the head shape, eye pupil and markings for identification purposes.
- To be
honest the film of this Viperine Snake swimming is rather more interesting
than these still photographs and it can be watched at: https://youtu.be/5i-M0907g4E.
·
David’s films of British reptiles and amphibians may be seen at: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4AirIEc0Nodlcvlf7oYAJgJo8k7pHJ-A.
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