France in Focus

Yesterday whilst moving wood stored for next winter I pulled back the cover to expose a Western Whip Snake curled comfortably on top. A big one, about 4ft plus as I saw later but at first we just watched each other. Eventually it dropped down to ground lebvel and disappeared under the stack where it remained until totally cleared when it disappeared into the undergrowth. They can be aggressive and it readied to strike, hissing when I disturbed it a second time after lunch as i continued wood clearing. I kept my distance!

How wonderful - where was your camera Wilbro ??
The Western Whip snake is not venomous but could give a nasty bite if really cornered (like any snake) and you were fortunate to see it.

That is such a coincidence Wilbro ! We found one just beside our wood stack a couple of days ago, only ours was about 2 feet long same exact variety of snake. Four feet would have had me running for the hills !

I've been doing a LOT of gardening since the rain has let up a bit. I am always on the lookout.

Terrified of snakes.

@Blaze and
I have a photo and I will try to upload if I can but not had much success in the past with photos.

Live and let live I say and it was quite a handsome creature.

Well you've got three for the price of one

Little beauty - thanks Wilbro !

One of our cats brought in a juvenile earlier in the week. It was alive and seemed to be uninjured so we did our best to set it free where it would not be quickly re-caught. We infrequently see juveniles but I have never seen an adult up here in the mountains.

I will see if I can transfer the picture we took.

I did read a report once, but cannot find it again, that someone died after repeatedly being struck by such a snake, as a general rule though they are pretty harmless, but as said, ready to have a go.

Yep, that be him Wilbro !

The fields around our house are two meters high in growth. Heaven only knows what is lurking in them there hills.