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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
The Grass Snake, sometimes called the Ringed Snake or Water Snake (Natrix natrix) is a European non-venomous snake.
The Grass Snake is typically dark green or brown in colour with a characteristic yellow collar behind the head, which explains the alternative name ringed snake. The colour may also range from grey to black. The underside is lighter in colour, up to 120cm total length.
They prey almost entirely on amphibians, especially the common frog, although they also occasionally eat mammals and fish. Grass Snakes are strong swimmers and are usually found close to fresh water.
Grass Snakes hibernate over the winter and mate soon after they emerge in the spring during April or May. The leathery skinned eggs are laid in batches of 8-40 in June to July and hatch after about 10 weeks. As eggs require a temperature of at least 21° C to hatch, rotting vegetation, including compost heaps are preferred locations. The young are around 18cm long when they hatch and are immediately independent.
Not being venomous, their only defenses are to produce a foul-smelling fluid from the anal glands and/or feigning death by becoming completely limp. Sometimes, they will also perform fake attacks, striking without actually opening their mouths. They bite in defense rarely.
It has a wide distribution in continental Europe, from southern Scandinavia to southern Italy. It is also found in north-western Africa. |
Dan, vanderschelden, IulianGherghel has marked this note useful
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- Dan
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 112 W: 0 N: 352]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(1731) - [2007-05-20 5:53]
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Salut Lucia, foarte fain sarpele, excelente detaliile si pozitia lui de "atentie, vine cineva!". Unde si cand l-ai facut?
Dan
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- pirate
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 450 W: 100 N: 572]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(2879) - [2007-05-20 5:54]
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Hi Great shot just at the best moment with incredible sharpness and good BG.
Very nic`!
Hi Parvelescu,
It is a beautiful snake and you captured it very well 'cause your photo is very sharp, showing the structure very well...
Well composed too..
TFS
Annick
Salutare
Foarte faina aceasta fotografie, sincer ma mir cum de ai reusit sa o faci deuarece natrixii astia sunt foarte obraznici cand e vorba de fotografiat, fug de colo-colo ca niste bezmetici.
numai bine,
iulian
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 138 W: 13 N: 244]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif){kind=small}