grass snake
| Scientific name | Natrix natrix |
|---|---|
| Descriptor | Lacépède |
| Year of description | 1758 |
| IUCN category (World) | LC |
| Family | Natricidae |
| Genus | Natrix |
Introduction
Natrix natrix, commonly known as grass snake, is a fresh water reptile.
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Who is it?
Morphology
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Type
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Female size120 - 150 cm
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Male size65 - 85 cm
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Motiftasks
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Mimicryplants
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Longevity25 year
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Type
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Female size120 - 150 cm
-
Male size65 - 85 cm
-
Motiftasks
-
Mimicryplants
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Longevity25 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
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Sociabilitysolitary
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Way of livingdiurnal
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VenomousNo
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Dietpredator
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
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Reproductionovipare qui pond sur substrat caché
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Clutch size10 - 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?
Conservation status of populations (IUCN)
What is its habitat?
Natural environment characteristics
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Temperature14 - 30 °C
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FlowMedium, 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.
Scientific partners
Tags
Same genus
