Rosie living on the French side of the Pyrenees near Canigou wrote to us recently with a snake identification question. She’d found one in her house and managed to get this picture!
Smooth snake found in Rosie’s house!
It’s a little bit difficult to identify it without seeing its head but we think it’s a Smooth snake or Southern smooth snake. You’ll be pleased to hear Rosie that it’s non-venomous!
They’re found in northern and central Europe and we see them fairly regularly here on the Spanish side at about 1000 meters.
We also had a great sighting of a snake whilst out hiking recently. It was swimming in a local barranco which is popular in the height of summer as a lovely swimming hole!
Viperine snake
It was a Viperine snake and it’s the first time we’ve seen one here. Although it has the word ‘viper’ in it’s name it is in fact not an actual viper and only mimics one in colouring. It also mimics the ‘attacking’ pose of a viper to deter predators. You’ll find them near or in water; streams, swimming holes etc. and they will only venture a short distance away from a water spot when in search of a new watery hangout.
It was a great sighting however although they’re not venomous I may choose to swim somewhere else next year!
We’ve written more about snakes here.
Hi there, we spotted a snake yesterday, but are not sure what it is. We had crossed from St Jean Pied de port into Spain and were on the Xorroxin Cascades trail. The snake was sun baking. It was dark silver grey, no real markings other than a darker dot on its neck. Eyes were dark, no orange which rules out a grass snake. Any ideas?
Rachel
Hi Rachel,
Good spot! Without a photo it’s a bit difficult to tell. My guess would probably be a smooth snake (coronella austriaca) or a southern smooth snake (coronella girondica) as these can have a dark dot or patch on their neck and are a dark grey colour. As I say though, without a decent photo it’s a but difficult to tell. Hope that helps, Phil