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LOCAL OBSERVATIONS 2007 - April

Sunday 15th April 2007

Conditions : light clouds.
Temperature : around 17 C
Time of observations : 18h00 to 20h00

A scout around the walls of the vine yards and fields with a Forum herpéto friend Thierry. A few unexpected day time active Hyla meridionalis were found, one had an irregular pattern and slightly blue markings on the back. Three Montpellier snakes (Malpolon monspessulanus) were seen as well as one Ocellated lizard (Timon lepidus) and a few Large Psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus) :

© Daniel Phillips
The first Stripeless tree frog (Hyla meridionalis)

© Daniel Phillips
The second Stripeless tree frog (Hyla meridionalis) with an irregular pattern, some small blue markings could be seen on the back but didn't show well on the photo.

© Daniel Phillips
Ready to strike Montpellier snake (Malpolon monspessulanus)

© Daniel Phillips
Same specimen

© Daniel Phillips
An adult Large psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus)


Friday 6th April 2007

Conditions : clear sky, no wind.
Temperature : around 19 C
Time of observations : 11h30 to 14h20

A very nice day, a break through from the poor weather we've been having here for almost three weeks now. I headed off with the bicycle, my first location were from the other days, today however there was not anything to be seen. I went to the same place that I observed Malpolon monspessulanus in March, almost there and I spot a female Lacerta bilineata sunbathing in the dry water canals, I couldn't get any photos due to her speed and wise ness of her surroundings. I finally got to the lucky Malpolon spot, and not even a minute went by before I heard that famous snake slithering sound, as I turned my look towards the rustle, I caught a glimpse of her body, a wonderful female Malpolon monspessulanus, I ran towards the spot examined with speed the situation and caught the snake, only to be bitten right away, on my arm, no harm done, rather that then thorns in my leg.

© Daniel Phillips
Female Montpellier snake (Malpolon monspessulanus)

© Daniel Phillips
My Montpellier snake bite

So I took some photos for future identification and as I let her go, she without fear watched me follow her through the bushes, as if I wasn't there, no hissing, no sudden movement, no top speed escape, just slithered away. And so a meter down this stone wall, I heard yet again a slithering sound, too deep in the thorns this time. And so without disturbing the habitat further I carried on down. After 5 or 6 meters, I heard a move, but from the open ground, I turned around and with my sunlit handicapped sight I could make out a huge Malpolon monspessulanus, who was regurgitating a large lizard, as the snake felt in danger he launched towards me to retreat into the wall, I grabbed his strong body and he started thrashing violently for his release, I securely grasped him so he would be calm, which was effective in a few minutes time. We both needed 5 minutes to calm down, and the I proceed with the photos. The large dead lizard, was an adult Timon lepidus.

© Daniel Phillips
Male Montpellier snake (Malpolon monspessulanus)

© David Phillips
Me and my catch, I have been wanting to get my hands on a large male for too long. He measured 1.5 m long.

© David Phillips
Head of a male Montpellier snake (Malpolon monspessulanus). Males never have lips patterns (see female head)

© David Phillips
Demonstration of his possibilities

© Daniel Phillips
The dead adult Ocellated lizard (Timon lepidus) caught moments before my arrival

Moving to other potential herp rich areas, coming across many Large psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus), Ocellated lizards (Timon lepidus) all seen but none photographed. And more Montpellier snakes (Malpolon monspessulanus) no photos:

© Daniel Phillips
Adult Large Psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus), male due to those blue marks

© Daniel Phillips
Same


Tuesday 3rd April 2007

Conditions : Scattered clouds, quite windy.
Temperature : around 16 C
Time of observations : 18h30 to 19h10

Quite windy, but for the first time in two weeks, a large portion of the sky was blue, so I went out. I came across a male Montpellier snake (Malpolon monspessulanus), but it got away down his hole. I then saw 3 Large psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus). Searching under stones, I came across a male Slow worm (Anguis fragilis):

© Daniel Phillips
Male Slow worm (Anguis fragilis)