Colubrid, Northern Italy (1 Viewer)

Warixenjalka

Birdwitcher

• Jul 15, 2016

• #1

Is this a Western Whip Snake (Coluber viridiflavus)? Photo taken at Po-delta area, Italy at June. It was basking in middle of small paved road.

 

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vipersgarden

Well-known member

• Jul 16, 2016

• #2

yes, it is

 

Warixenjalka

Birdwitcher

• Jul 16, 2016

• #3

Thank you - again. Do you know is it common in Italy?

 

B

black52bird

Registered User

• Jul 17, 2016

• #4

Warixenjalka said:

Thank you - again. Do you know is it common in Italy?

Click to expand...

Yes, it is found throughout the peninsula, including the smaller islands.
(Information from: Silvio Bruni/Stefano Maugeri (1990) Serpenti D'Italia e D'Europa. Milano: Editoriale Giorgio Mondadori - which is an excellent book!)
I lived in northern Italy 1977-79 and 1986-98, and it was one of the commonest species to come across when out in the field. Quite often I saw the black form (var. carbonarius) in the mountains and around the Lake Garda area.
Best
David

 

Warixenjalka

Birdwitcher

• Jul 18, 2016

• #5

Thank you David.
I must order this book: http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=327492