Nicepix 5,650 Posted July 13, 2016 Report Share Posted July 13, 2016 Been out on mole patrol today and as I lifted a cover to check on a pair of Putanges that are down permanently I found a viper (vipera aspis) about a foot long, sleeping between the board and turf Exit stage left!!! That would explain the strange smell drifting up from the south-west this afternoon 1 Quote Link to post
dytkos 17,952 Posted July 13, 2016 Report Share Posted July 13, 2016 Are there many poisonous snakes in France? Cheers, D. Quote Link to post
Nicepix 5,650 Posted July 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2016 The viper is the most common venomous snake and they are widely distributed especially in the south. We were on holiday last week and there was a sign warning people not to get too close to a wall near a shop due to the vipers. There is a less common viper, adders and Aesculapian snakes which are constrictors, not venomous. I had one of those in a trap last year. I see grass snakes swimming in rivers and lakes virtually every time I go fishing in summer, 1 Quote Link to post
shropshire mole 190 Posted July 13, 2016 Report Share Posted July 13, 2016 Any pictures Clive? Quote Link to post
Nicepix 5,650 Posted July 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2016 As soon as I saw it I dropped the board shut and made a hasty exit. Vipers are the terriers of the snake world - they come forward rather than retreat backwards like adders. A mate of mine was chased across his garden by one he disturbed under some roof tiles.Same bloke had a rat run over his hand, across his shoulders and over the other hand while he was 20 foot up a ladder and had three days in hospital after a spider bit him. Lucky Terry I call him. 4 Quote Link to post
mole trapper 1,705 Posted July 14, 2016 Report Share Posted July 14, 2016 Blimey Clive, your welcome to that lot! Having said that, one night last week I picked up a (dead) rat by it's tail which suddenly became non dead and proceeded to climb up it's tail! It was at this point I evacuated my bowels, screamed like a bitch and duly gave it the coup de gras courtesy of a size 13 boot. We're away tomorrow on hols, sister in law says they have a lot of gators around at the moment!!! France would be a lot more appealing. Quote Link to post
dytkos 17,952 Posted July 14, 2016 Report Share Posted July 14, 2016 Blimey Clive, your welcome to that lot! Having said that, one night last week I picked up a (dead) rat by it's tail which suddenly became non dead and proceeded to climb up it's tail! It was at this point I evacuated my bowels, screamed like a bitch and duly gave it the coup de gras courtesy of a size 13 boot. We're away tomorrow on hols, sister in law says they have a lot of gators around at the moment!!! France would be a lot more appealing. Where you off to mate? Cheers, D. Quote Link to post
mole trapper 1,705 Posted July 14, 2016 Report Share Posted July 14, 2016 Her nieces wedding over in Utah, I know there's no alligators in Utah! We're going down to her sisters first in Florida then travelling up for the wedding. Officially closed the Business doors an hour ago till 5th August, first proper time off in 15 years. 1 Quote Link to post
Mr Wasp 220 Posted July 14, 2016 Report Share Posted July 14, 2016 You cant beat a genuine Hampshire black adder... 3 Quote Link to post
TOMO 29,059 Posted July 15, 2016 Report Share Posted July 15, 2016 Are they a melanistick version ? Quote Link to post
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