Barred grass snake

The barred grass snake (Natrix helvetica) is a non-venomous colubrid snake from Western Europe, living in and close to water. It was included within the grass snake species, Natrix natrix, until August 2017, when genetic analysis led to its reclassification as a separate species.[1]

Barred grass snake

Least Concern  (IUCN 2.3)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Natrix
Species:
N. helvetica
Binomial name
Natrix helvetica
(Lacépède, 1789)

Subspecies

Five subspecies of Natrix natrix were transferred to Natrix helvetica:[1]

  • N. helvetica helvetica (syn. N. natrix helvetica)
  • N. helvetica cetti (syn. N. natrix cetti)
  • N. helvetica corsa (syn. N. natrix corsa)
  • N. helvetica lanzai (syn. N. natrix lanzai)
  • N. helvetica sicula (syn. N. natrix sicula)

Description

The barred grass snake has a body colour of grey-green and distinct banding along its flanks for the entire length of its body. It can grow to a length of over a metre.[2]

Its diet includes amphibians such as newts and frogs.

Distribution

The species is found in Great Britain as far north as southern Scotland,[3] the Netherlands, western Germany, Switzerland, Italy and France. The nominate subspecies N. h. helvetica has the widest distribution: from Britain to the Pyrenees and the Rhine region.[4]

Protection and threats

The species has various predator species, including corvids, storks, owls and perhaps other birds of prey, foxes, and the domestic cat.

In Great Britain, they are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and cannot be harmed or traded without a licence, although they may legally be captured and kept in captivity.

In 2007 (before reclassification), the grass snake was included on the updated UK Biodiversity Action Plan as a species in need of conservation and greater protection.[5]

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References
  1. Kindler, Carolin; Chèvre, Maxime; Ursenbacher, Sylvain; Böhme, Wolfgang; Hille, Axel; Jablonski, Daniel; Vamberger, Melita & Fritz, Uwe (2017), "Hybridization patterns in two contact zones of grass snakes reveal a new Central European snake species", Scientific Reports, 7 (7378), doi:10.1038/s41598-017-07847-9, PMC 5547120
  2. "New grass snake identified in the UK". BBC News. 2017-08-07. Retrieved 2017-08-09.
  3. "Ssssscotland here we come!". The Herald. Herald & Times Group. 2012-05-02. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  4. Kindler, Carolin; Fritz, Uwe (2018-01-29). "Phylogeography and taxonomy of the barred grass snake (Natrix helvetica), with a discussion of the subspecies category in zoology" (PDF). Scientific Reports. 8 (1): 269–281. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-20218-2. ISSN 2045-2322 – via Science Citation Index.
  5. BBC NEWS, Hedgehogs join 'protection' list


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