Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I live in Hungary, about 50 km from the Ukrainian border. My in-laws have a large plot of land that apparently has a snake nest somewhere in it because lately(with the warmer weather) we've been seeing the same type of snakes in the yard sunbathing. I would like to discover what type of snake this is if possible(the internet has proved a deadend thus far).

The snake is a greyish color, with no freckles, spots or strips of any discernible nature. The only characteristic markings of the snakes is behind the mandible. There is a single large yellow spot behind each mandible on either side.

If anyone has any information, it would greatly help us. Thank you.

Not real confident in my answer, but one possibility is the grass snake, Natrix natrix. What is the approximate size of the offenders?

~~Greg~~

Guess #2, & I am not real clear on the range of this one, so it may not even occur in your area, but the description is a close match. Aesculapean Snake, Elaphe longissima.

~~Greg~~

The size of the snakes were no more than 2 feet in length. I know for a fact there are 2, perhaps 3(the third might have been one of the two I saw earlier). They all were the same length.

Thanks for your help, I'll see if I can find some information on those species.

I looked up the Natrix Natrix and the Aesculapian snake on the internet. While I understand that there is an immense variety among the same species, none resemble the characteristics of the snakes I saw. The distinctive yellow spot just behind the mandibles(the size of a dime, maybe a little smaller) are not to be found in any pictures under these two species.

I appreciate the assistance thus far, I'll keep looking at more photos in the hopes of finding a reasonable match.

I found this picture, which most resembles the snakes I have been talking about. The very last picture on this webpage is the picture I call to your attention.

The shape of the head compared to the rest of the body, as well as, the color of the scales are very similar to the snakes in my in-laws yard. The only thing missing are those two yellow spots behind the mandibles. I do not know if those yellow spots are characterstic for a particular species or not. But I thought a picture would give a better indication of what I was referring to.

If yellow spots are not important to the species(and just random markings that appear mosaically) than we have found our species. If they are important, than I guess I need to keep looking.

Thank you again.
Link

I believe you have found the culprit. That is the same snake as my second guess...the taxonomy on it has changed since the book I found it in was published. Look at the second photograph on that site, & you'll see the yellow mark on the side of the neck that drew my attention to the species to begin with. The mark is apparently not on all of them, but it looks like what you have, I think. Does the range on that site put the snake in your area?

~~Greg~~
Venomous Snakes of Florida

Thank you very much for your help.

I feel much better that I can not rationally explain to my in-laws that these snakes will not try and eat them when they are not watching. What I worried the most is that they would try and kill them. I am a great lover of snakes, so this would dishearten me greatly.

Thank you again.

I found this page showing the yellow marks behind the head.
Link

There is a book CZECH RECENT AND FOSSIL AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES-Chimaira ed. Not Hungary but close. That has a photo of Natrix natrix that is close to the photo you mention for Elaphe longisoma...But, there is also a photo of E.l. that has the yellow spots as well. The caption says these spots disappear with larger specimens.

Two things you can use for ID. First Natrix has heavily keeled scales E.l. only slight. Natrix has a checked belly-E.l. plain.

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

Thank you for that information, rearfang. I'll be sure to take a closer look when I can get my hands on the snake.