grass snake
Natrix natrix
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassSquamata
- FamilyColubridae (Colubrid Snakes)
- GenusNatrix
- SpeciesNatrix natrix (grass snake)
About the grass snake
The grass snake (Natrix natrix), sometimes called the ringed snake or water snake, is a Eurasian semi-aquatic non-venomous colubrid snake. It is often found near water and feeds almost exclusively on amphibians. Many subspecies are recognized, including:
Natrix natrix helvetica (Lacépède, 1789) was formerly considered as a subspecies, but following a genetic analysis it was recognised in August 2017 as a separate species, Natrix helvetica, the barred grass snake. Four other subspecies were transferred from N. natrix to N. helvetica, becoming N. helvetica cettii, N. helvetica corsa, N. helvetica lanzai and N. helvetica sicula.
The subspecies N. natrix astreptophora, found in the Iberian peninsula, the Pyrenees, and North-Western Africa, has been reclassified as its own species Natrix astreptophora or the Iberian grass snake. The grass snake is typically dark green or brown in colour with a characteristic yellow or white collar behind the head, earning it the alternative name of 'ringed snake'. Its colouration can range from grey to black; darker colours are more prevalent in colder regions, presumably due to the thermal benefits of dark pigmentation... Wikipedia →
Closest Relatives at Plitvice Lakes National Park
Global Distribution
Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.
where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is) · parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Białowieża National Park | 🇵🇱 Poland | |
| 2 | Hortobágy National Park | 🇭🇺 Hungary | |
| 3 | Triglav National Park | 🇸🇮 Slovenia | |
| 4 | Biebrza National Park | 🇵🇱 Poland | |
| 5 | Plitvice Lakes National Park | 🇭🇷 Croatia | |
| 6 | Gauja National Park | 🇱🇻 Latvia | |
| 7 | Fertő-Hanság National Park | 🇭🇺 Hungary | |
| 8 | Tatra National Park | 🇸🇰 Slovakia | |
| 9 | Kiskunság National Park | 🇭🇺 Hungary | |
| 10 | Bavarian Forest National Park | 🇩🇪 Germany | |
| 11 | Hohe Tauern National Park | 🇦🇹 Austria | |
| 12 | Wadden Sea National Park | 🇩🇪 Germany |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a grass snake in Plitvice Lakes National Park?
About 40% of wildlife watchers report a grass snake sighting in Plitvice Lakes National Park, based on 21 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see grass snake in Plitvice Lakes National Park?
April has the highest sighting rate for grass snake in Plitvice Lakes National Park in our monthly data.