GREEK SNAKES

Grass Snake (Natrix natrix persa, dark phase)

Nikon D5, Sigma 180 macro 2,8, f/7,1, 1/1000, ISO 1800

Europe has a great viraety of snakes, and in the eastern mediterranean counties you can find many interesting species. My friend biologist Pål Sørensen took me for 8 days of ambitious snake adventure to the north-western Greek mainland. Pål`s main focus was to find as many Smooth Snakes as possible for his ongoing research project on the species, but a nice side effect on searching for Smooth Snakes "24-7" .... is finding other species. 

For Snake Nerds, here is the species list :

Aesculapian Snake (Zamensis longissima) (1)

Balkan Whip Snake (Hierophis gemonensis) (many)

Dahl`s Whip Snake (Platyceps najadum) (quite a few)

Dice Snake (Natrix tessallata) (2)

Four-lined Snake (Elaphe quatuorlineata) (1)

Grass Snake (Natrix natrix persa) (4)

Greek Meadow Viper (Vipera graeca) (1)

Eastern Montpellier Snake (Mapolon insignias fuscus) (1)

Nosehorn Viper (Vipera ammodytes) (11)

Smooth Snake (Coronella austraica) (32)

Worm Snake (Typhlops vermicularis) (1)

A warm thank you to Pål Sørensen for a great experience and indispensable assistance in shooting situations. 

Hope you like he pictures ! 

Grass Snake (Natrix natrix persa, dark phase)

Nikon D5, Sigma 180 macro 2,8, f/7,1, 1/1000, ISO 1800

Grass Snake (Natrix natrix persa)

Nikon D5, Sigma 105 macro 2,8, f/6,3, 1/400, ISO 450

Nosehorn Viper (Vipera ammodytes), male

Known to be the most venomous of all European snakes, causing many human fatalities in historic times before anti-venom technology was developed

Nikon D5, Sigma 180 macro 2,8, f/6,3, 1/250, ISO 280

Nosehorn Viper (Vipera ammodytes), male

Late May in Northern Greece offers a lot of blooming plants and the colourful lush gives special photographic opportunities.  

Nikon D5, Sigma 180 macro 2,8, f/6,3, 1/250, ISO 220

Greek Meadow Viper (Vipera graeca)

A small and rare viper-species inhabiting the high alpine region of some areas in the Greek north western mainland. Recently regarded be a separate species (Vipera graeca), earlier understood to be an subspecies of the Ursini Viper (Vipera ursinii graeca), ... and before that again : Vipera ursinii. 

Nikon D5, Sigma 180 macro 2,8, f/5,0, 1/400, ISO 180

High alpine habitat of the Greek Meadow Viper at almost 2000 m altitude

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Eastern Montpellier Snake (Mapolon insignitus fuscus). A big, solid and beautiful (!!) snake that can grow up to incredible 2,4 m (this one was about 1,5 m), harsh looking indeed ... with attitude and a lot of sharp teeth !! The species is venomous and backfanged, but however not dangerous for humans. Its been a long time dream of mine to find a snake like this !! Happy !!!

Nikon D5, Sigma 105 macro 2,8, f/18,0, 1/320, ISO 2200

Eastern Montpellier Snake (Mapolon insignitus fuscus) 

Nikon D5, Sigma 105 macro 2,8, f/6,3, 1/500, ISO 560

Eastern Montpellier Snake (Mapolon insignitus fuscus) 

Nikon D5, Sigma 105 macro 2,8, f/6,3, 1/1250, ISO 1400

Eastern Montpellier Snake (Mapolon insignitus fuscus) 

Nikon D5, Sigma 105 macro 2,8, f/6,3, 1/320, ISO 360

Eastern Montpellier Snake (Mapolon insignitus fuscus) 

Nikon D5, Sigma 180 macro 2,8, f/6,3, 1/640, ISO 640

Four-lined Snake (Elaphe quatuorlineata). Known to be the biggest of all European snakes and can grow up to incredible 2,6 m !! Like other rat snakes it prefers small mammal prey like rats and rabbits. Prey is often constricted.

Nikon D5, Sigma 180 2,8 macro, f/6,3, 1/1250, ISO 1000

Four-lined Snake (Elaphe quatuorlineata)

Nikon D5, Sigma 180 2,8 macro, f/6,3, 1/2000, ISO 1800

Aesculapian Snake (Zamensis longissima). Another great find for me !! A beautiful snake that can grow up to 2,0 m, diurnal and can be found climbing as well as on the ground. Food is basically small mammals like mice & squirrels, and the prey is often constricted. When approached in can defend itself with attitude ! 

Nikon D5, Sigma 105 2,8 macro, f/5,0, 1/400, ISO 1600

Aesculapian Snake (Zamensis longissima).

Nikon D5, Sigma 105 2,8 macro, f/5,0, 1/400, ISO 560

Aesculapian Snake (Zamensis longissima).

Nikon D5, Sigma 105 2,8 macro, f/5,0, 1/400, ISO 560

Aesculapian Snake (Zamensis longissima).

Nikon D5, Sigma 105 2,8 macro, f/7,1, 1/400, ISO 1800

Balkan Whip Snake (Hierophis gemonensis) 

Nikon D5, Sigma 105 2,8 macro, f/9,0, 1/400, ISO 900

Dahl`s Whip Snake (Platyceps najadum) 

Nikon D5, Sigma 105 2,8 macro, f/5,6, 1/640, ISO 1100

Dice Snake (Natrix tessellata) 

Nikon D5, Sigma 180 2,8 macro, f/11,0, 1/320, ISO 2500

Worm Snake (Typhlops vermicularis) ... looking like an Earth Worm, but yes, ... it is a snake !! 

Nikon D5, Sigma 105 2,8 macro, f/6,3, 1/400, ISO 200

Taking DNA samples from Smooth Snake (Coronella austraica)

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Biologist Pål Sørensen holding a big European Glass Lizard (Pseudupus apodous) .. a limbless lizard that can grow up to 1,5 m !

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