| Actual Image
'30,000 pts' - *Dedicated to Nature* (70)
boreocypriensis
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5089 W: 178 N: 12407]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif) (33873) | Zamenis longissimus (=Elaphe longissima) (Aesculapian snake) [in Turk. Eskülap Yılanı] (Female)
Yesterday, I reached 30,000 pts on TN and I selected a special posting -at least for me- to celebrate since this beauty is accepted as the international medical symbol. I also attached a WS to show it in its environment and total appearance. I photographed it near Gökgöl Caves (#2) located on the road between Zonguldak and Bartın provinces.
And today I would like to dedicate this posting to all Natural beauties:) which they gave me fine poses to share with all nature lovers. On this way, I also thank to all friends for their kind support me and their kind interest to my shots.
TFL and Have a nice day!
Cheers,
©Bayram GÖÇMEN, Ege University, Faculty of Science. All Rights Reserved.
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The Aesculapian snake is a relatively slender snake that can reach 2.25 m in total length, but is more usually around 1.4–1.6 m. Adult Aesculapian snakes are a fairly plain brown, yellowish or olive colour and the anterior third of the body is often distinctly lighter. Various white spots and vague longitudinal stripes may also be present. Juveniles are much more boldly marked and somewhat resemble grass snakes, Natrix natrix. It is found from sea level to 2,000 m in a variety of habitats, including deciduous woodland, scrub, marshy areas, traditional farming landscapes and around human dwellings. These snakes seem to prefer humid regions and are often associated with river valleys. They are excellent climbers and it is becoming apparent that they utilise the interior and the canopy of woodlands far more than previously thought. Aesculapian snakes are powerful constrictors and prey on small rodents, making them economically beneficial to farmers, as well as on birds and lizards.
Although a diurnal species it is secretive and seldom seen. Mating Aesculapian snakes perform an elegant “dance” with their front ends raised in an S-shape and the bodies and tails intertwined, the behaviour that is represented on the international medical symbol. An average of 5-11 eggs are laid in some form of decomposing vegetation, such as heaps of leaf litter, compost and manure or humus-filled holes in trees, and many females may utilise the same site if it is particularly favourable for incubation. Juveniles vary from 12-37 cm in length and are fully self-sufficient upon hatching. Aesculapian snakes have numerous predators, especially when young, including many mammals and birds, but do not appear to have many direct competitors among other snakes.
This elegant snake has a wide distribution, occurring in 26 countries, including Turkey, in geographical Europe with just one separate population, around Lake Urmia in northern Iran. In Turkey, there is an isolated population occurs on the northern slopes of Ağrı Dağı (Mount Ararat) in eastern Turkey. Aesculapian snakes are also found in northeast Turkey where they form part of the population along the eastern shores of the Black Sea, extending into Georgia and southern Russia, which is itself separate from the main European distribution. This species is also found in northwest Turkey, where it is connected to the main European distribution via the Greek and Bulgarian populations.
References:
1. Göçmen, B. (Unpub. results). The results of herpetological trips.
2. Budak, A. & Göçmen, B. (2005). Herpetology. Ege Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi Kitaplar Serisi, No. 194, Ege Üniversitesi Basimevi, Bornova-Izmir, 226 pp. [2nd Edition, 2008].
3. Baran, I. & Atatür, M. K. (1998). Turkish Herpetofauna (Amphibians & Reptiles). Ministry of Environment, Ankara. 214 pp.
4. Arnold, N.E. (1978). A Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Britain and Europe.Collins, London, UK, 288 pp. |
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