Hissing in cobra mode

[RobertArthur]

Last year there where almost 40 frogs in our small pond, now only 12. Where have they all gone? Probably inside this impressive couleuvre, about 150 cm long. He/she was baking in the sun, disturbed when I tried to get as close as possible for a snapshot. No pictures please!

[niemeyjt]

Predation is a difficult thing to balance. Eating frogs that are "good" on the one hand versus eating rodents that are "bad" on the other.

Still, it shows you must have created a nice habitat for them

[basquesteve]

Nice snake Couleuvre verte et Jaune.Western Whip Snake

[Bayleaf]

Don't worry, there were masses of frogs in our valley this year, as the flooding made ponds in the undulating riverside paddocks most of the time. It was a right old din, like they were having a good laugh at something all the time (but not Fringe jokes! )

I think it's snakes like that, that are inhabiting our roof space at times - not a problem I hope, unless they decide to lay eggs up there .... apparently 150-200 at a time? Gulp!

[Lori]

That must be a very common snake in France as that is what we see around here. So far, not one that large.

There is a snake skin by the wood pile. I think they like to make a home hidden in the wood. So, should I expect them to leave by Winter or should I keep my eyes peeled when reaching for a log ? Don't they hibernate in Winter ?

[ajm]

Wear gloves. Grass snakes are not venomous but can give a nasty bite.

[Lori]

Wear gloves. Grass snakes are not venomous but can give a nasty bite.

Lovely.

[RobertArthur]

I've found a volunteer to patrol the waters of our small pond. A surfer by the name of Sharkie, perhaps enough to frighten the snakes. Should make the habitat of the frogs more peaceful. But there must be quit a lot of them. When renovating our terrace several years ago I discovered many eggs and baby snakes, already behaving as grown ups. Size of the bricks: 11 x 11 cm.

[Blaze]

It looks heavenly !
We found a load of snake's eggs in a heap of falun - we didn't know they were there so felt rather guilty disturbing them.

[Lori]

Sharkie is an odd looking snake. Do you know what variety he is ?

I had to look up what snake eggs look like as I wouldn't know one if I saw it.