LOCAL OBSERVATIONS 2007 - June

Wednesday 27th June 2007

Conditions: Sunny with wind.
Temperature : around 23 C
Time of observations: 16h00 to 17h30

I searched along an irrigation canal and found many Green frogs (Pelophylax sp.) and a Viperine snake (Natrix maura), but to my amazement, I noticed a few larva of Palmate newt (Lissotriton helveticus), this species usually breeds in ponds and especially ones in and around forests, but here was out in the middle of the valley exposed to sun, so very surprising to find this species. I also found the shed of the Montpellier snake (Malpolon monspessulanus) photographed on the 16th of June (see below).

Two small larva of Palmate newt (Lissotriton helveticus).

Same

Habitat

Saturday 16th June 2007

Conditions: Cloudy with small sunny periods.
Temperature : around 22 C
Time of observations: 9h00 to 10h30

A quite covered day, but still a day spent in the field. First spot gave me a meeting with a few Montpellier snakes (Malpolon monspessulanus), two specimens of which one was photographed, Further away I found a Montpellier snake (Malpolon monspessulanus) shed and a fleeing Ocellated lizard (Timon lepidus). Heading back home, I found on the side of the road a dead Southern smooth snake (Coronella girondica).

This specimen of Montpellier snake (Malpolon monspessulanus) was identified by a photo-identification database I keep on the computer for snakes at this spot, as the same specimen photographed on the 18th of March.

The Southern smooth snake (Coronella girondica), one of the most secretive snakes (or rarest ?), the good thing about finding this snake although it is sad is that the species lives in this spot.

Belly view with small black squares, characteristic of the Southern smooth snake (Coronella girondica).

Wednesday 13th June 2007

Conditions: heavy clouds with short sunny moments.
Temperature : around 24 C
Time of observations : 14h00 to 16h00

A heavy clouded but warm day, seem good for snakes. I went out searching for what ever would be out and before long I came across a fleeing Montpellier snake (Malpolon monspessulanus), and then only a few yards from there another specimen in a bush, and a third not too far away again, but this one was too fast to catch.

A female Montpellier snake (Malpolon monspessulanus) measuring 98 cm long, she was gravid.

I changed area and saw a few Ocellated lizards (Timon lepidus), one went down it's den before I could get a good look, but the second one I was lucky to catch, it was a gravid female. Not far from this specimen was one running across the road.

A female Ocellated lizard (Timon lepidus), note the very large size due to her eggs.

Friday 8th June 2007

PART 1

Conditions: Clear skies, no wind.
Temperature : around 30 C
Time of observations : 8h20 to 12h00

A vet from the Chizé zoo came to herp with me today, arriving nice and early, we didn't lose any time in going out. Our first encounter was a couple of Ocellated lizards (Timon lepidus) which after 10 minutes of running and hiding in and around 3 close together trees and stinging nettles won the game of "don't get caught by these guys". We went to another place where turning over a stone found us a juvenile Ladder snake (Rhinechis scalaris) which was almost golden. After that we came across another Ocellated lizard (Timon lepidus) and 2 Montpellier snakes (Malpolon monspessulanus) of which we caught one who measured 142 cm long.

Wonderful juvenile Ladder snake (Rhinechis scalaris).

142 cm long male adult Montpellier snake (Malpolon monspessulanus).

Same (photo taken during the passage of a small cloud).

PART 2

Conditions: Clear skies, no wind.
Temperature : around 30 C
Time of observations : 14h00 to 15h00

We drove up to near Narbonne where turning over pallets proved once again a very effective snake finding method, we caught 2 Montpellier snakes (Malpolon monspessulanus) and a Ladder snake (Rhinechis scalaris). The smaller Montpellier snake (Malpolon monspessulanus) was very young and had a rather unique body coloration, and a very strange head pattern.

First Montpellier snake (Malpolon monspessulanus), a small male specimen.

Notice the black eyebrows of this same specimen.

A female Montpellier snake (Malpolon monspessulanus), this specimen was carrying eggs.

Ladder snake (Rhinechis scalaris)

Thursday 7th June 2007

Conditions : Clear sky, no wind.
Temperature : around 20 C
Time of observations : 22h00 to 00h00

Mathieu and I went up to Opoul where we inspected the late staying amphibians at the drying pond. We saw many froglet Stripeless tree frogs (Hyla meridionalis) and Viperine snakes (Natrix maura), and also saw a Marbled newt (Triturus marmoratus) and many larva, Western Spadefoot toad (Pelobates cultripes) tadpoles and a Painted frog (Discoglossus pictus) froglet.

Froglet of Stripeless tree frog (Hyla meridionalis), the tail is just about visible.

One of many Viperine snakes (Natrix maura).

This Viperine snake (Natrix maura) had a Southern smooth snake (Coronella girondica) pattern resemblance.

The only adult Marbled newt (Triturus marmoratus).