8 Common Snakes In France

Are you interested to learn about the common snakes in France?

France is home to a wide array of animals including snakes, exhibiting notable variations in characteristics and behavior. These distinctions include venomous species, as well as non-venomous snakes that rely on constriction to capture their prey.

Snakes are a topic that often evokes fear, misconception, and aversion. This leads to these creatures being subjected to persecution in France despite the fact that it is illegal.

The killing of these reptiles has also become a matter of great concern due to the declining populations of most snake species in the country since certain ones are frequently encountered in close proximity to human settlements.

On average, only one person falls victim to a venomous snakebite in France in every 10 years. This is because the majority of snake species that thrive in the country pose little to no threat to humans. The venomous ones, if encountered, are highly unlikely to inflict significant harm.

We have created a list of some of the most common snakes you can find in France. Check it out.

8 Common Snakes In France

1. Montpellier Snake (Malpolon monspessulanus)

The Montpellier snake is a large non-venomous snake found in the Mediterranean region of France. It has a long and slender body with a yellowish or greenish color.

The primary diet of Montpellier snakes consists mostly of lizards, although they also consume mammals such as rabbits. They use venom to subdue their prey before chasing and tracking it.

Despite being venomous, these snakes are not considered a threat to humans in France. Its rear fangs lower the risk of venom injection, and the venom itself has low toxicity. While venom injections are possible in bites from larger snakes, the venom is not highly dangerous.

A Montpellier snakebite typically requires only symptomatic treatment.

2. Aesculapian Snake (Zamenis longissimus)

The Aesculapian snake is a non-venomous snake known for its calm temperament, striking appearance, and unique ecological traits. It is one of the larger snake species in France and in other parts of Europe, growing up to 2 meters long.

These snakes display a range of colors, from olive green to brown, with a metallic sheen.

They have dark patches or lines running along their bodies, white-edged dorsal scales, and scattered white freckles. Their elongated heads feature round pupils and a distinctive yellow collar. Their bellies are usually yellowish with darker patterns or spots.

As adept climbers, Aesculapian snakes are often observed in trees and on branchless trunks or basking in the sun on stone walls or tree stumps.

3. Adder (Vipera berus)

The adder, also referred to as the common European adder or common European viper, is a small venomous snake species found in various parts of Europe, including France. It thrives in grassy or rocky sloped habitats, as well as farm fields.

The adder displays a range of colors and patterns, with the males typically bearing solid light browns and grays and the females exhibiting more vibrant yellows and reds.

Some have a distinctive zigzag pattern on their backs, added with a row of oval spots along the sides, while others lack these markings. Another notable feature is a black mark on the top of the head, resembling either an X or a V.

Adders feed on small mammals such as mice and voles, and sometimes rats. Other reptiles such as lizards and slow worms are often included in their menu as well.

4. Smooth Snake (Coronella austriaca)

While sometimes mistaken for common adders, smooth snakes lack the zigzag pattern typically seen in adders.

A prominent feature of this snake species is the presence of two rows of small, irregularly shaped dark blotches that extend along the entire length of its body. The merging of these creates a crown-like pattern around the head.

The smooth snake is timid and non-venomous. Both male and female smooth snakes grow up to between 24 and 30 inches in length.

They are distributed throughout most parts of France, although they are either absent or rare in the majority of the southwest region. In these areas, they are typically replaced by the Southern smooth snake.

The species is commonly found in dense and mature heather, thriving in dry, sandy, or gravelly heathland areas. It often seeks shelter beneath logs, stones, and other debris, particularly in sunny locations. While primarily a ground-dwelling creature, smooth snakes are also known to navigate and climb through bushy vegetation.

5. Viperine Snake (Natrix maura)

The viperine snake, also called viperine water snake, is a semiaquatic snake that primarily feeds on fish. It is a non-venomous species that is predominantly found in southern parts of France.

Despite its name, the viperine snake does not belong to the viper family. It earned its name due to its dorsal color pattern, which bears a resemblance to that of coexisting adder species.

The viperine snake features a distinct black zigzag stripe along its spine and a series of black ocelli with yellow centers along its sides.

Adult viperine snakes measure approximately 3 to 4 feet in length. Similar to other fully marine snakes, they possess valved nostrils positioned at the top of their heads, small eyes with round pupils, a slightly compressed body, and a flattened tail resembling an oar.

Viperine snakes are relatively common, but they are vulnerable to environmental changes and pollution in their wetland habitats. They also often get killed as they are frequently mistaken for venomous vipers.

6. Western Whip Snake (Hierophis viridiflavus)

The Western whip snake, also referred to as the green whip snake, inhabits the southern three quarters of France and stands out distinctly from other snake species in the country, making it easily distinguishable.

It is a relatively large snake, growing up to 2 meters in length, and has prominent eyes with round pupils.

This snake species is primarily characterized by its dark green coloration with yellow dashes or bands. These markings are transversal on the main part of its body and become longitudinal towards the tail.

This snake is a good hunter, preying on frogs, birds, lizards, small mammals, and more.

Interestingly, there have been instances where the Western whip snake has been observed eating adders and even members of its own species. In addition, this snake is a highly adept climber, swiftly maneuvering through bushes and hedgerows.

Western whip snakes can be found in a wide range of habitats, but they particularly favor dry and quiet areas such as open woodlands, scrublands, and fallow lands, as well as rivers or other wet areas.

7. Ladder Snake (Zamenis scalaris)

The ladder snake is a moderately sized snake with an average length of around 1 meter. It has a prominent head that is distinct from its body, resembling a slightly flattened egg shape. It has small eyes that are not very prominent, with round pupils.

Adult ladder snakes have a uniform shade of gray or brown, with two darker parallel bands running along the back. Juveniles have bold bands that connect the darker bands, which gives the snake its name.

Exclusively found in the south of France, ladder snakes thrive in dry and sunny habitats, typically characterized by slightly barren areas with bushy scrub. They prey on birds or small mammals. Young ladder snakes primarily feed on insects.

8. Barred Grass Snakes (Natrix helvetica)

Sometimes called the Swiss grass snake, the barred grass snake is a non-venomous colubrid snake you can find living near or around water everywhere in France.

It’s one of the two grass snake species in the country, the other being the Iberian grass snake (Natrix astreptophora), which thrives in Aude, Ariége, and Pyrénées-Orientales.

Barred grass snakes often exhibit markings that range from shades of gray to green, with darker splashes or bands being the most common pattern, although some may have an overall dark gray or black coloration.

These snakes mainly feed on live amphibians such as frogs, toads, and salamanders. Unlike some other snake species, this one does not rely on constriction to subdue their prey, consuming them alive.