Grass snake

The grass snake (Natrix) is a non-venomous snake. It is often found near water and feeds almost exclusively on amphibia and lizards.

Grass snake
2017.07.17.-17-Tiefer See oder Grubensee-Storkow (Mark)--Ringelnatter.jpg
Conservation status
Scientific classification e
Unrecognized taxon (fix): Natricinae
Genus: Natrix
Species:
N. natrix
Binomial name
Natrix natrix
Natrix natrix distribution updated (cropped).png
Natrix natrix range map
Synonyms
A grass snake upsidedown, playing dead

The grass snake is widely distributed in mainland Europe, from mid Scandinavia to southern Italy. It is also found in Middle East and northwestern Africa.

There is a native species in Great Britain but it is not Natrix natrix. It is Natrix helvetica the barred grass snake. The two subspecies were both called Natrix natrix until recently (2017).

Work by the Senckenberg Research Institute in Germany lead a study into the genetics of over 1,600 grass snakes.

Grass Snake Media

References

  1. European Reptile & Amphibian Specialist Group (1996). "Natrix natrix". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 1996. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
 
Eating Bufo bufo (Czech Republic)