grass snake

Scientific name Natrix natrix
Descriptor Lacépède
Year of description 1758
IUCN category LC
Family Natricidae
Genus Natrix
Natrix natrix Natrix natrix

Introduction

Natrix natrix, commonly known as grass snake, is a fresh water reptile.

Who is it?

Morphology

  • Female size
    120 - 150 cm
  • Male size
    65 - 85 cm
  • Motif
    tasks
  • Mimicry
    plants
  • Longevity
    25 year
  • Female size
    120 - 150 cm
  • Male size
    65 - 85 cm
  • Motif
    tasks
  • Mimicry
    plants
  • Longevity
    25 year

How to recognize the grass snake ?

The grass snake measures between 65 and 85 cm. This reptile is bicolore with a predominantly jaune, noir, marron and beige body. The also has noir tasks.

Behaviour & Life cycle

  • Sociability
    solitary
  • Way of living
    diurnal
  • Venomous
    No
  • Diet
    predator

The grass snake is a reptile solitary naturally found in the vegetation. This species is carnivorous .

Although the grass snake is non-territorial, it is sometimes aggressive towards other species.

Reproduction

  • Reproduction
    ovipare qui pond sur substrat caché
  • Clutch size
    10 - 50 eggs

The grass snake is a reptile ovipare qui pond sur substrat caché.

Harmless species

This species does not represent any particular threats to humans when encountered in its natural environment.

Where to find it?

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

  • Temperature
    14 - 30 °C
  • Flow
    Medium, Slow and Stagnant

Biotope presentation

The acidification of water comes from the decomposition of plants. This phenomenon changes the color of the water, which tends to turn brown. In some areas particularly rich in organic matter, the water is so dark that it is called "black water".

The grass snake is most often found at a depth between 0m and 1m. However, it is not impossible to find this species at other depths. This animal evolves in areas characterized by a strong presence of vegetation (aquatic and marsh plants, decaying organic matter, roots...).

This species lives near large roots, in which it can find refuge in case of danger. This type of habitat is often found not far from the banks.

To go further

To read on the web

Sources & Contributions

Participation & Validation

The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.

Translation

Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.

Bibliographic references

Distribution and hybridisation of barred and common grass snakes (Natrix helvetica, N. natrix) in BadenWürttemberg, South-western Germany - Nadine Schultze - Hubert Laufer - Carolin Kindler - Uwe Fritz - Herpetozoa - 2019.

Evolution and phylogeny of the genus Natrix (Serpentes: Colubridae) - D. GUICKING - R. LAWSON - U. JOGER - M. WINK - Biological Journal of the Linnean Society - 2006.

The contact zone of the grass snake (Natrix natrix) in Switzerland - Maxime Chèvre - Université de Neuchâtel - 2015.

The Fifth Labour of Heracles: Cleaning the Linnean stable of names for grass snakes (Natrix astreptophora, N. helvetica, N. natrix sensu stricto) - Uwe Fritz - Josef Friedrich Schmidtler - Vertebrate Zoology - 2020.

Interact with Fishipedia

To get in touch with our team or participate in our project.

Template and content © Fishipedia - Unauthorized reproduction without prior request - ISSN 2270-7247 - Last modification

Same genus

Scientific partners

  • {{name}}

    {{#street_number}}{{street_number}}, {{/street_number}}{{#route}}{{route}}{{/route}}
    {{postal_code}} {{town}}

    {{#phone}}{{phone}}{{/phone}}{{^phone}}-{{/phone}}