GREBES — RIXGED SNAKE 



3 2 9 



Ringed Snake. 



On the banks of the inland waters of central Europe only two 

 kinds of reptiles occur, one the pond-tortoise, and the other the 

 water or ringed snake (Tropidonotus natrix). The latter is evenly and widely 

 distributed, no part of the European continent (except the extreme north) being 

 without it, while it is also found on the islands near the coast, as well as in the 

 more distant island groups, with the exception of Ireland. It does not range so far 

 north as the viper, but goes farther south, its habitat being between the 65th and 

 35th degrees of latitude, eastwards to Lake Baikal and westwards to the Atlantic. 



Whilst the smooth snake prefers light, sunny places in the woods and on the 

 slopes, and the viper marshy and boggy districts, to the ringed snake the presence 



of water is essential, the soil 

 and nature of the country 

 being generally of minor 

 importance. Besides water 

 and moisture, this snake 

 loves above all things the 

 sun, and therefore appears 

 only here and there on 

 inclement wind-swept 

 table-lands and mountain 



THE IUNGED SNAKE. 



ridges, and on such mountain-slopes as are exposed to the south and east. In 

 the Swiss Alps it has been met with at a height of 5500 feet, in the Tyrol at 

 a height of 6500 feet, and in Piedmont even as high as 8000 feet. As a rule, 

 however, it prefers the lowlands and smaller hills to the mountains, generally 

 choosing its habitation in the neighbourhood of a pond, ditch, or river, or in a 

 marsh. Where the locality is to its taste, the ringed snake does not mind the 

 proximity of a road, or the neighbourhood of a farm, while it has been found 

 even in the midst of a village. Often enough it takes up its abode near human 

 habitations, or even in a cottage, if this be in a dilapidated condition. 



According to the nature of its dwelling-place, the ringed snake finds a refuge 

 amongst rushes or reeds, under bushes and undergrowth, as well as in water. 



