Snake in the polytunnel

[elhuerto]

Just been watering the polytunnel and found a snake in with the melons. It's not one I've seen before so tried looking it up but can't find it in any of the Google images. I'm told there are no poisonous snakes here but there two types of small snake, maybe vipers, that are highly dangerous. This snake was pretty small, about 30cm long, cream colour with black thick lines on its back.  Cos it's in with the melon leaves it's going to be hard to see if it's gone pr not and although I'm not particularly bothered by snakes, I don't fancy getting bitten so the weeds might just have to be left there  ::)

Two years ago, I had a ladder snake in my office, the office is on the third floor and it must have got in through the window. With the help of a neighbour we caught it and left it out in the fields.

[elhuerto]

[cornykev]

Baskian Viper.   ::) :-\

[pumkinlover]

 ;D ;D ;D

[Pescador]

Try this link, sounds the most likely.
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhinechis_scalaris

Have a Carlos III for me please, I miss it!!
Buenos Noches

[elhuerto]

I was thinking it might be a young ladder snake as they're the most common here but the pointy head and size suggested a viper. I'll have a look tomorrow to see if it's still about.

Pescador, Carlos III is my choice of after dinner brandy on a Saturday at the local pizza place. A couple of years ago I had to insist they just gave me a shot and not the full brandy glass, the measures were huge and the bottle left on the table for top ups - weekends would effectively finish at 5pm on a Saturday.

[pumkinlover]

Pescador, Carlos III is my choice of after dinner brandy on a Saturday at the local pizza place. A couple of years ago I had to insist they just gave me a shot and not the full brandy glass, the measures were huge and the bottle left on the table for top ups - weekends would effectively finish at 5pm on a Saturday.

:o :o :o

[elhuerto]

Didn't see it this morning but not easy poking around with a long stick. I assume (and hope) it'll move on with the constant watering.

On a related note, I was really surprised that there's no definitive site dedicated to Spain's flora and fauna, or any decent looking books on Amazon. The wildlife here is very rich and varied, in the last week I've seen Golden Eagles, wild boar, this stunning lizard



and several snakes.

[sunloving]

Sounds like a slow worm which is a leggless lizard. Heres one i found in wales in May. Gorgeous  x sunloving

[Robert_Brenchley]

Is that a Green Lizard, Elhuerto?

[elhuerto]

It's an Ocellated Lizard - I don't know if they have another name, Robert. Don't see them that often but it's a treat when they appear, quite large around 25cm and a real fluorescent green.

[elhuerto]

I found the snake in with the cucumbers this evening. Looks very much like a young ladder snake. Took a few photos on my mobile.

This is it curled up and trying to hide



I moved it to under a tree down the road a bit

[antipodes]

Horrible but I must say that its head doesn't seem triangular enough to be a viper. I think that it is mostly the aspic viper in your region, but they tend to like grassy areas and they are fearful of humans so I would be surprised if it was in a veggie garden!  In general in Australia they tell you that snakes hate noise and disturbance so beat around with a large stick from a safe distance and the snake "should" retreat when it hears you coming.... that said a very young snake might not yet have had much contact with humans and not know that we are a potential predator?

If it sticks around you might want to get a man in? Someone with more specialised knowledge? In Oz they will come and remove snakes for you if they are in your house or garden (parks and wildlife services).

[elhuerto]

As I said, I'm pretty sure it was a young ladder snake, got a much better view the second time. I moved it to down the road and it hasn't been seen since.