Southeast Bavaria

[Jürgen Gebhart]

We have a few introduced populations of Podarcis muralis in Bavaria and just one natural.
I visited this Population today, it’s in Oberaudorf/Southeast Bavaria.
Most of them I found on this rock wall.

Hot underground

I thought this Population is rather small, but people told that they are very common in this area.

During my picture tour I came to this hut.

I saw three men in Front of it and heard that they are talking about viperas!
I listen what’s going on.
One said to the other, how can we bring that viper away, with sticks, tongs or anything else?
Have we too kill it???
I went to them and said, if you have a problem with snake, I’m your man!!
They told me the story that a vipera life around the hut and it is very close to the houses and it must go.
I looked around, it was 11.00 a. m. and very hot, so I flipped trash and stones, but found nothing.
I left, but I promised I came back and look for the snake.
I turn around and met a neighbour of them, he told me that is not a vipera it is a escaped Python from the neighbourhood!
I said Oh, ok. I went away.
25 Minutes later I came back talked again with the owner. Suddenly I saw the snake, sadly no vipera just a Coronella.
I caught it and give it to a save place.

On the way back home I made a break at the sand pit (viewtopic.php?f=10&t=150) and looked for the tadpoles of the Bufo viridis. They grow faster than I thought!! Half of them are on the way to Land!!!

[Mario Schweiger]

Hello Jürgen,

thanks for the nice pics!

Yes, in most areas of Central Europe Coronella austriaca is mistaken for Vipera berus.
But, it should be an escaped Python, that´s new

I think, its important to tell people the difference.
Not, vipers have elliptical and Coronella round pupil - who wants to come so close to check this.
But the markings on the snake´s back are different, also Coronella is smooth and shiny, a.s.o.
But not only for laymen it might be difficult - I also wasn´t sure a few times, if I can grab the snake without a glove

So the best will be, tell everybody:
Leave the snake alone, she will not hurt you, if you will not hurt her

Mario

[Peter Oefinger]

Cool story! As far as I know, the population in Oberaudorf is the only natural population of P. m. maculiventris in Germany...

[Jürgen Gebhart]

@Mario
I tried to tell the owner the differences between Coronella and Vipera berus, But he don`t wanna hear it, he was very afraid about the snake and happy that I take it away!!!

Two years ago, I saw a Coronella austriaca (???) in dry grass, I just saw a part of the body. In the Moment when I try too grab it, something/someone in my Brain said "be careful", I put my Gloves on and caught a nicce female Vipera berus!!!!!!!!
This time, the people told me that is a vipera, they despricpt a vipera, I put my gloves on. Even when I saw the snake and I saw it is a Coronella I grab it with the Glover covered hand.

@Peter
Yes, you are right.That is the only natural Population of Podarcis muralis maculiventris in Bavaria/in Germany!

[Ilian Velikov]

Great Podarcis photos! It's a good documentation since it's the only natural polpulation there! Good job!
Very nice you've saved the snake! It is very important to educate people about reptiles and amphibians!

Ilian

[Wolfram Schurig]

Jürgen! I most like that wall lizard with arms and legs stretched out ! It really looks completely relaxed! Good luck to them tiny green toads!

Wolfram