Snake warning

I once saw a large snake near Bolnuevo several years ago.

Don't do a Google search for Spanish snakes.............you will frighten yourself to death !!

Snakes scorpions and many other animals were there long before Camposol  leave them alone and they will not bother you,

Obviously your dog was on a lead so it would not have been in any danger.

I'm no expert on snakes but I believe the 2 most common large snakes around here are the Montpelier (in Spanish culebra bastarda) and the Ladder snake (culebra escalera).

The Montpelier can reach 2 metres, sometimes more. It is venomous but it is a backfang snake so not poisonous to humans (presumably, unless you put your finger into its mouth) but I don't know how serious a bite to a cat or dog might be. It is often quite a bright green with a big stern eye. We see them occasionally flattened in the road, evidently they like to sunbathe on the warm tarmac. They don't like water, in the past I have rescued 2 big 'uns from water using a long pole, they showed no aggression almost as if they knew I was trying to help.

The Ladder snake is a bit brownish, they have 2 dark stripes running the length of their back. In the younger snakes these lines are joined by short ones giving the appearance of a ladder, hence the name. Adults lose these cross lines. They are harmless and can reach about a metre and a half.

A few years ago we had a snake in our barn living in the straw bales. I had only seen the first 10cm or so of it, it looked green so I thought it was a Montpelier. We have a cat who likes to hunt in the barn so the snake had to go. After moving all the bales, I managed to catch it and it was an adult Ladder snake so it could have spent the winter in the barn after all. I let it go where there is old stone terracing on a hill behind us so hopefully it found somewhere to hibernate for the winter. It was so beautiful as it glided away, a good 1 1/2 metres stretched out.

There are other snakes in the Region, including vipers, grass snakes and smooth snakes but these are all smaller. Hope you find this interesting.

A good description Kalli, 

Adding onto such good advice, best to back away from a snake if unsure. 

Walk backwards so you can keep on eye on it. When far enough away find anotber route. 

Walking towards a snake can make him as teretorial as you are telling him. 

Some venemous snakes will decide to attack if felt threatened, and boy can they move. They can outrun many humans. 

It is advice. I would not hang around to determine the species. 

Also at night keep the door shut and only use windows with decent secure mozzie nets. ( they can climb up walls) 

Yes I did find this interesting,thank you so much ,it was very informative.

Good advice Rascalmate, although we do have our windows wide open at night and have never had a snaky visitor.

Here's another story to back up your advice. Last year I found a tiny snake (25cm max) by the horses' water. I didn't want it to get trodden on so tried to usher it away. My snake herding skills are rubbish, it went the other way, got itself into a corner and became defensive. I backed away to take the pressure off. It launched itself at me 3 times, leaping quite high in the air. It would be the equivalent of me trying to attack something the height of the Eiffel Tower but that didn't stop the fearless little guy. For such a tiny thing, it's hiss was very loud. Once it had calmed down, I managed to shoo it to safety.

Hi Kalli, 

You do not by any chance have a video, I am still laughing just using my imagination, regards Al

There are quite a few of them down the town hall...

At this time of year when it's getting warm you should be putting snake deterrent round the house if you are worried. It can be bought cheaply at an agricultural supplier. It's a liquid you put into small containers (eg used tune fish cans) and put at each side of house...a window ledge is ideal. The snakes hate the smell.