Calabria & Sicily report

[GertJan Verspui]

The 25th of april I left the Netherlands t do some herping in the south of Italy & on Sicily, partners in crime were Mr Bok, Mr Lambourne & Mr Willis, Thomas & Ida from Switserland had their own car and also came along.

During this week we had the wildest adventures, but because of very wet conditions we just stared at each other in the car for most of the time, this way we taught the English some Dutch words and behavior, in the scarce moment we could get out of the car we also managed to find some herps.


The big story is here:

http://gjv-natureview.jimdo.com/trip-re ... ly-4-2014/

[Mario Schweiger]

Great report!

The Natrix natrix look great, especially the dark uniform one (in preshedding stage - blue ventrals?)
Looking - not only on yours - on some Zamenis lineatus, I'm realy happy, we have DNA now.
Otherwise, how to dintinguish from longissimus?

Mario

[Thomas Reich]

I very much enjoyed reading your report, GertJan. The same goes for Bobby's report posted earlier in a different thread. It's always interesting to see how different reports from the same trip can be.

Otherwise, how to dintinguish from longissimus?

I think the best characteristic is the orange-red iris of Z. lineatus. The Italian name Saettone occhirossi means red-eyed Aesculapian snake, which is an apt name in my opinion.
http://www.euroherp.com/Resources/Trips ... neatus.jpg

[Mario Schweiger]

I think the best characteristic is the orange-red iris of Z. lineatus. The Italian name Saettone occhirossi means red-eyed Aesculapian snake, which is an apt name in my opinion.

I was awaiting this
Imho, if fits in many cases, but not always - as well in lineatus as in longissimus.
But hatchlings look very different.
I remember a Calabria trip in the late 70ies, when we found baby snakes and couldnt imagine what it is

[Berislav Horvatic]

I think the best characteristic is the orange-red iris of Z. lineatus. The Italian name Saettone occhirossi means red-eyed Aesculapian snake, which is an apt name in my opinion.

I had a look at as many photos of Zamenis longissimus as I could find at short notice, including my own,
and it seems to me that the juveniles of this species have orange-red irises, like e. g. this one from the
surroundings of Zagreb:

The adults, on the other hand, have dark grey to almost black irisis. So, when does the change take place?
Anyone having noticed that?

[Mario Schweiger]

The adults, on the other hand, have dark grey to almost black irisis. So, when does the change take place?

Again, this doesnt fit always!
Please check the VipersGarden Amph.-Rept database: http://vipersgarden.at/cascade/species.php?cat=2&subcat=36&subcat3=Zamenis+longissimus
You will find youngsters with grey to grey-brown eyes and "adults" (what is adult? 1 metre +?)with at least reddish eyes.

[Berislav Horvatic]

Yes, of course, nature is untidy.

[Jürgen Gebhart]

I like the report, great pics!
But your (GJ, Bobby) influence to Pauli is not the best!!!

[Jürgen Gebhart]

btw. Isn`t it nice and exciting to have an exotic friend like Pauli?

[Paul Lambourne]

Jurgen

It always worries me when your nice.. Like the smile on a crocodile..