This viper present in France loves to go out after the heavy rains

One of the rarest snakes in France. Furthermore, In the large family of Viperidae. Furthermore, a viper little known in France has the distinction of being more outside and visible after heavy rains in summer. Nevertheless, This reptile. However, Vipera Seoanei, is an endemic species in northern Spain and northern Portugal that is only found in the Basque Country in France. Meanwhile, This is the Viper of Séoane, also called Viper of the Pyrenees.

About fifty centimeters long, with a triangular head and vertically split pupils, it can be difficult to spot in brush. Consequently, Her dress can indeed this viper present france loves adopt very different colors. Similarly, from gray to brick red through beige, with sometimes the existence of black spots, which makes it unhealthy from her environment.

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A viper dislodged from its refuge by abundant rains – This viper present france loves

One of the peculiarities of. this viper is his behavior following strong precipitation. During the hot weather, she moves little. It remains hidden during the day in the vegetation. in its burrow on the lookout for the passage of a prey nearby, because it fails to regulate its temperature. But the combination of strong humidity and mild temperatures after a thunderstorm pushes her to get out of her shelter.

There are several reasons. On the one hand, the abundant rain takes its shelter (stones, stumps, old walls). She is therefore forced to look for a drier place. On the other hand, the rain makes its search for food easier. this viper present france loves Indeed, the Viper of Séoane feeds on small animals such as amphibians (frog, triton …), which tend to go out when it rains. This is why you are more likely to cross a Viper of Séoane after a high rain on the paths of the Basque Country. whether near the stones, strains or in high herbs. Vigilance is essential.

The viper of Séoane. a threatened species

The Viper of Séoane becomes scarce, it appears on the red list of endangered species in France. It pays the price for the scarcity of its habitats. because of fires, but also of its destruction by humans because of its unfounded reputation of very dangerous animals. Indeed. it is important to note that even if it is a venomous viper with solenoglyphs teeth (with a hollow channel for venom), it is a very fearful species, which prefers to flee rather than this viper present france loves attack. In other words, the Viper of Séoane does not bite man, unless the latter attacks or manipulates him.

Furthermore. even if she bites to defend herself, she does not systematically inject venom, preserving him to hunt the prey necessary for her diet. Finally. in the extreme case of a bite by a Viper of Séoane, the danger is less than if it were an Aspic viper. The Viper of Séoane therefore does not deserve its bad reputation. On the contrary, it plays an important role in maintaining biodiversity and the regulation of micromammal populations which it feeds.