House snake | Facts & Information

Area: Europe, North Africa, Asia Minor, Central Asia; in Romania it is reported up to an altitude of 1100m.

Reproduction: the vast majority of snakes breed through eggs, which they lay in a warm hiding place. Chicks hatch after 10 weeks from 11-25 eggs

Features: it is a non-venomous Eurasian snake

Natrix natrix is a member of the class Reptilia, order Squamata, family Colubridae, genus Natrix. It was first described by Linnaeus in 1758. It is neither constrictor nor venomous. It kills its prey by the high speed with which it attacks. He's a peaceful snake to people. It is widespread throughout Europe, northern Africa and the Middle East. It is among the few snakes found in Northern Europe, being found even close to the northern Polar circle, but also in the Alps, sometimes at heights of over 2000 meters.

The house snake (Natrix natrix) is sometimes called a ringed snake, grass snake or water snake. It can usually be found near water or in forests.

All snakes of this genus are more or less related to aquatic basins.

In the Romanian folk tradition there is the so-called House snake, which guards the house from evil and which you must not kill. It is also called the House esteem or The Guardian snake, because it lives in the darkness, between the walls or walls of the House. That's why he's also called the keeper of the household. It is also said that he guards some precious objects, buried under or around houses, such as money, gold, expensive stones or jewelry. It is said, in Romanian folklore, that a house left by its snake is unclean and attracts evil spirits. The house snake brings good luck to those of the family under whose dwelling it sits.   

It is very likely that the common name of this snake (house snake) is closely related to this popular legend. Or it may have to do with the fact that these snakes are spread throughout Romania, often being seen near human households, attracted by the abundance of food (rodents). It is also known as the "water snake", but the name is not entirely correct, Natrix tessellata, a close and very similar relative of Natrix natrix, being the real "water snake". Both species are water-loving, "natrix "deriving from the Latin" natare " meaning to swim.

FEEDING THE HOUSE SNAKE

Natrix natrix feeds on frogs, newts, small lizards, rodents, fish, and sometimes even birds, their young or eggs. The brood prefers frog tadpoles. He intensively searches for prey, using his olfactory and sensory abilities. It slowly approaches the victim, and when it is at a sufficiently small distance, it triggers the lightning attack. Captured prey is not crushed as in the case of constrictor snakes, but is swallowed alive. Favorite prey are frogs that can be easily swallowed because they are slippery. During ingestion salivary secretion is abundant to ease the passage of the prey. After feeding the snake retreats to A Quiet Place to digest its food.

APPEARANCE HOUSE SNAKE   

Natrix natrix is a medium-sized snake measuring at maturity on average 150 cm; males are smaller than females, which can reach up to 180 cm. the body is robust, the head large and triangular. The pupils are round. The body is dark green or olive green, furrowed on the flanks by black markings. On the neck there are two semilunar spots, which make up a ring of yellowish color, a distinctive sign of this species, which is why it is also known as the "ring snake".  The abdomen is in the chessboard, white with black, in some specimens it may even be completely black. Before moulting the colors fade and become very bright immediately after.

This snake often falls victim to man because it is mistaken for the common Viper.  At first glance the two snakes may seem similar but the differences between them are significant. Natrix shows round pupils, black markings on the flanks are irregular, and on the neck shows that yellowish ring, which in the Viper is missing. Instead, the Viper has slit-like pupils, and the back is crossed by a zigzag drawing, well outlined.  However, ironically, in the habitats where these two species coexist, the house snake is seen lounging in the sun in groups that include Vipers. So sometimes the confusion between the two species is founded.

BEHAVIOR HOUSE SNAKE 

The house snake possesses numerous remarkable defense mechanisms against attackers. He is not aggressive towards humans, but if threatened he retaliates. There are very few cases of people bitten by a Natrix natrix, generally specimens of this species being very docile. In the presence of man they quickly retreat to a safe place. If his life is endangered, the house snake will simulate a quick attack, but with its mouth closed, it swells and saws, like venomous snakes. If the attacker does not stop, the snake will release a foul-smelling (garlic-like) substance secreted by glands in the anal region. And as the last strategic move, if the predator insists, the snake will pretend to be dead, lie on its back, mouth open and tongue out.

BREEDING HOUSE SNAKE

The male and female are entwined and this is how reproduction is accomplished. By June-July, the female lays up to 50 eggs, white, round; in warm places such as piles of hay or leaves, dung, hollows of trees, loose soil. Sometimes several females lay eggs in the same place. the mother will stay only a few days near the nest after which she leaves permanently.  In about two months the chicks will hatch. They are 10-14 cm and very quickly become independent and want food (frog tadpoles).  Sexual maturity occurs at 3 years in males or 5 years in females, usually when they have reached 50-60 cm in length. Life expectancy is up to 25 years.