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Snakes of France
These purpose of these fact pages is to provide basic information for everyday use about the species of snakes in France and where they are to be found.
When it comes to the subject of snakes there is an enormous amount of fear, misunderstanding and dislike from all sections of the community. Snakes, certainly in France, are generally harmless with one or two exceptions and even these would only be really dangerous to some susceptible people. Snakes are not normally easy to approach and will often flee as a person approaches, I have great difficulty observing them even when “creeping around”. Snakes play an important role in our environment being both predator and prey. Their role as predator is described in the species lists, but it is equally important to realise that they also provide food for many species of bird and mammal; Harriers, Falcons, Magpies, Owls, Eagles, Foxes, Marten, Wild Boar and even frogs are some of the species which profit from "having a bit of snake" in their diet.
Photo: Frog ( Grenouille rieuse) eating a young Viperine snake.
Show a bit of caution when moving objects which are possible hiding places, don’t plunge your hand into the water meter box or other inspection point without first checking that it is empty and don’t walk around where you can’t see properly with bare feet and legs. Log piles are a frequent hiding place.
If you do get bitten don’t panic, it just increases the rate of your circulation, ask someone else if possible to get you medical attention, stay warm, use a blanket if required and try to keep the part of your body with the bite lowered. Any of the emergency services will be able to assist.
Dial. 15 for SAMU. 17 for Police. 18 for Pompiers.
Your pets and animals are also vulnerable to snake bite, if you suspect that your animal has been injured by a snake contact your vet without delay.
The regional information gives the main areas of distribution, species will be found outside of these areas - snakes do not use maps - climate change is altering the range of some snakes.
Click on the pictures to see file.
Vipère aspic ~~ Vipera aspis ~~ Asp viper
Vipère péliade ~~ Vipera berus ~~ Comon adder
Coronelle lisse ~~ Coronella austriaca ~~ Smooth snake
Couleuvre de Montpellier ~~ Malpolon monspessulanus ~~ Montpellier snake
Coronelle de Bordeaux ~~ Coronella girondica ~~ Southern smooth snake
Couleuvre à échalons ~~ Elaphe scalaris ~~ Ladder snake
Couleuvre d'Esculape ~~ Elaphe longissima ~~ Aesculapian snake
Couleuvre verte et jaune ~~ Coluber viridiflavus ~~ Western whip snake
Couleuvre à collier ~~ Natrix natrix ~~ Grass snake
Couleuvre vipérine ~~ Natrix maura ~~ Viperine snake
Vipère d'Orsini ~~ Vipera ursinii ~~ Orsini's viper
A quick guide to the major visible differences between the Vipera (Adders & vipers) and the other snakes to be found in France.
The Vipera have vertical pupils, other snakes in France have round pupils.
Below. Top of the head of a common adder, small scales.
Below. Side view of the head of an Asp Viper, small scales & slit pupils.
Below. Side view of Aesculapian snake, round pupils, large scales on top and side of head, these features will be found on all Non Vipera snakes in France.
