Viperine Snake
Natrix maura
Silhouette: Danny S. · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassSquamata
- FamilyColubridae (Colubrid Snakes)
- GenusNatrix
- SpeciesNatrix maura (Viperine Snake)
About the Viperine Snake
The viperine water snake or viperine snake (Natrix maura) is a semiaquatic, fish-eating natricine water snake. Despite its common names, it is not a member of the subfamily Viperinae. It was given its common names due to exhibiting a dorsal colour pattern that superficially resembles that of sympatric adder species. In comparison to other Natrix species its head is also somewhat wider and more distinct from the neck. Like most members of the Natricinae it possesses a venom gland on each side of the upper jaw (Duvernoy's gland) that produces a mild venom that may play a role in swallowing or digestion. The gland is not associated with an enlarged specialized tooth and the venom has to be applied by chewing. The species usually does not bite as a means of defense, and the effect of a bite would be harmless to humans.
The viperine snake looks like an adder and occasionally behaves like one. It is known to strike like an adder, but not to bite. It spends most of its time in water hunting fish, frogs and other aquatic animals. The species is diurnal.
Fossils of the viperine snake are known from El Chaparral, a fossil site in Villaluenga del Rosario that... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Viperine Snake in Sierra de Guadarrama National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Sierra de Guadarrama National Park
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cévennes National Park | 🇫🇷 France | |
| 2 | Monfragüe National Park | 🇪🇸 Spain | |
| 3 | Doñana National Park | 🇪🇸 Spain | |
| 4 | Camargue | 🇫🇷 France | |
| 5 | Sierra Nevada National Park | 🇪🇸 Spain | |
| 6 | Pyrénées National Park | 🇫🇷 France | |
| 7 | Mercantour National Park | 🇫🇷 France | |
| 8 | Aigüestortes National Park | 🇪🇸 Spain | |
| 9 | Sierra de Guadarrama National Park | 🇪🇸 Spain | |
| 10 | Picos de Europa National Park | 🇪🇸 Spain | |
| 11 | Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park | 🇪🇸 Spain |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Viperine Snake in Sierra de Guadarrama National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Viperine Snake sighting in Sierra de Guadarrama National Park, based on 61 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Viperine Snake in Sierra de Guadarrama National Park?
August has the highest sighting rate for Viperine Snake in Sierra de Guadarrama National Park in our monthly data.