Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have owned this snake for 2 years. I purchased it from someone in Oregon who got it from the previous owner who got it from a PetCo in Palm Desert Calif. It was sold to me as a Garter Snake but obviously it is not. It feeds on fish but I immediately started feeding it f/t mice and it is a hardy eater. It does not bite but it hisses and strikes with its mouth closed. I believe it is a European Natrix such as a Grass or Dice Snake. I would love to get a positive ID and even narrow down subspecies if I can. I would appreciate ANY information I can get.

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Randy Hallman
Firehouse Herps

>>I have owned this snake for 2 years. I purchased it from someone in Oregon who got it from the previous owner who got it from a PetCo in Palm Desert Calif. It was sold to me as a Garter Snake but obviously it is not. It feeds on fish but I immediately started feeding it f/t mice and it is a hardy eater. It does not bite but it hisses and strikes with its mouth closed. I believe it is a European Natrix such as a Grass or Dice Snake. I would love to get a positive ID and even narrow down subspecies if I can. I would appreciate ANY information I can get.
>>
>>that most definatly looks like youve nailed it.natrix natrix is a personal favorite of mine.yours looks like the other type of natrix in europe.have you ever breed it?
>>
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>>Randy Hallman
>>Firehouse Herps
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until next time make mine slither.herb
www.housesnakes@yahoo.com

>>>>I have owned this snake for 2 years. I purchased it from someone in Oregon who got it from the previous owner who got it from a PetCo in Palm Desert Calif. It was sold to me as a Garter Snake but obviously it is not. It feeds on fish but I immediately started feeding it f/t mice and it is a hardy eater. It does not bite but it hisses and strikes with its mouth closed. I believe it is a European Natrix such as a Grass or Dice Snake. I would love to get a positive ID and even narrow down subspecies if I can. I would appreciate ANY information I can get.
>>>>
>>>>that most definatly looks like youve nailed it.natrix natrix is a personal favorite of mine.yours looks like the other type of natrix in europe.have you ever breed it?try looking up grass snakes of europe.
>>>>
>>>>
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>>>>Randy Hallman
>>>>Firehouse Herps
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>>until next time make mine slither.herb
>>www.housesnakes@yahoo.com
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until next time make mine slither.herb
www.housesnakes@yahoo.com

Hello, It would be helpful to have a view of the belly. And a close-up of the head if possible. Also, how long is your snake now?
Right off, though I doubt you've bred it (as no mention of a female),if you had she would have laid eggs if they where Natrix!

Below is a pic of my yellow belly.
Michael

in my opinion, that snake is a brazos water snake, nerodia harteri,which is a threatened species.

Using various internet references and Conant's Field Guide I eliminated this possibility. The dorsal and belly pattern are definitively different between my snake and Nerodia harteri. After oft repeated attempts I have not been able to find a good match with any N. American Water Snakes. The closest and most probable ID is the European Dice Snake. The pattern is definitive as is the behavior but my research on that species says they are not known to eat mice like the closely related Grass and Viperine Snakes. Mine readily takes unscented f/t mice. This fact is not enough to eliminate the ID in my opinion. The Grass Snakes are variable in pattern and that is still a possibility. I have also considered a captive hybrid between a Grass and a Dice Snake as a potential ID. My primary source of information on these has been Reptiles and Amphibians of Europe by E. Nicholas Arnold and Denys W. Ovenden.

Dice Snake – Natrix tessellate (probable ID)

Grass Snake – Natrix natrix (possible ID)

Viperine Snake – Natrix maura (doubtful ID)
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Randy Hallman
Firehouse Herps

can't tell from the pics...but your guesses of some natrix species seem posible too.
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"with head raised regally,and gazing at me with lidless eyes,he seemed to question with flicks of his long forked tongue my right to trespass on his territory" Carl Kauffeld

Defiantly not a Narrow-Headed Garter though the pics do at first glance have a superficial resemblance to them. When held in the hand and A/B'd with Narrow-Headed Garters, a species I am very well acquainted with, there is little to no similarity. We have also ruled out any of the new world Water Snakes. This animal has been narrowed down to a European Natrix but which of 2 or 3 species is uncertain. Possibly a hybrid of 2 such Natrix.

Regardless it is an interesting snake and quite the enjoyable captive. It thrives well with very basic husbandry. It puts up a very aggressive show, hisses loudly, but never bites or skips a meal. I am glad I acquired it even though it was not intentional. It is a keeper.
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Randy Hallman
Firehouse Herps