Not found yet

[Rémon ter Harmsel]

Not really a species I didn't see yet but I have never seen a living adult of that species. For me my definitive "nemesis" species is Elaphe quatuorlineata. I have been on so many trips to countries where this species occurs (Italy, Croatia, Montenegro, Greece, Macedonia) and all I ever found were DORs and a single subadult caught by myself at Lake Volvi in Greece.

Fun topic! First one that comes to mind for me is also E. quatuorlineata. Only seen a live one once but didnt manage to get a photo. Just spent a week in Montenegro last week looking for one and found none.... Am going for a next chance on Corfu in June.

[Berislav Horvatic]

Fun topic! First one that comes to mind for me is also E. quatuorlineata. Only seen a live one once but didnt manage to get a photo.
Just spent a week in Montenegro last week looking for one and found none.... Am going for a next chance on Corfu in June.

Almost unbelievable - a week in Montenegro, in spring, and having found none... That could have been just bad luck, nothing else.
The same as with my own "inability" to find a Zamenis situla, even when the locals tell me where and when to search...

[Thomas Reich]

Interesting thread. I am still missing a living Zamenis situla (only found it DOR on Samos). Two weeks ago I luckily managed to finally find my second "tough nut to crack", Coronella girondica. I twice searched unavailingly for Rana arvalis, but under suboptimal conditions.

[Berislav Horvatic]

I twice searched unavailingly for Rana arvalis, but under suboptimal conditions.

We were in their habitat together, only at least a month too late... So, you know the place, you know the people, and
you're welcome... Just keep in touch. BTW, Herbert Billing has the same wish, so maybe you two should keep in touch
as well.

[Jeroen Speybroeck]

The question "how hard is it to find arvalis?" could also be an interesting continuation of this thread?

I have also thought that apart from breeding adults and emerging metamorphs (like during our Dutch weekend, not too hard but outnumbered by temporaria youngsters), finding arvalis is a difficult game of chance, especially in daytime and without rain, but I haven't ventured into their Belgian habitat too often. Thoughts, anyone?

[Mario Schweiger]

maybe depends on area or locality.
Two examples from Burgenland, Austria. September 9th, 2009; very warm and no cloud visible. out in bright sunlight

habitat and weather conditions

[Kristian Munkholm]

The question "how hard is it to find arvalis?" could also be an interesting continuation of this thread?

I have also thought that apart from breeding adults and emerging metamorphs (like during our Dutch weekend, not too hard but outnumbered by temporaria youngsters), finding arvalis is a difficult game of chance, especially in daytime and without rain, but I haven't ventured into their Belgian habitat too often. Thoughts, anyone?

I never specifically searched for arvalis outside of the breeding season and I haven't kept records so I don't have any numbers but I've never thought of them as particularly "difficult". I chance upon adults every now and then on land here in Denmark in the daytime, come to think of it probably a little more in late summer / early fall than in late spring / early summer. I haven't noticed rain being a significant factor. From summer vacations in Sweden I remember finding them out at night in July on multiple occasions.

[miguel santos]

Mine is as simple as tragic: I'm living for more than 25 years in the Nederlands and I never saw a snake in this country.

Today I broke the spell. I saw my first snake in the Netherlands.
A berus of more than 60 cm from a known area in the south of the Netherlands.
They are there after all...
Miguel

[Kevin Byrnes]

I also recently broke my spell when I flipped a log in Northern Spain to reveal 5 of these beauties

[Mario Schweiger]

I also recently broke my spell when I flipped a log in Northern Spain to reveal 5 of these beauties

nice variation within one population