Instead of a more regular trip to the Viroin area in southern Belgium, I wanted to head a bit further south to make up for the snakeless time in Spain in July. Together with Bert & Elfie, Peter & Anniek and my own crew, we headed to the nearest place for Belgians to see Asp Viper Vipera aspis, la Lorraine. This area holds a fairly rich herpetofauna, including another two species absent from Belgium – Parsley Frog Pelodytes punctatus and Western Whip Snake Hierophis viridiflavus. It seemed time to fix the fact that I had never been there. We (i.e. Bert and Peter…) found a fair deal of snakes. Another memorable moment was surprising late-season amphibian breeding activity.
double nocturnal flip – Common Wall Lizard and Common Midwife Toad
midwife toad tadpoles taking off
we found two nocturnal Smooth Snakes Coronella austriaca at about 16°C
Smooth Snake Coronella austriaca
Asp Viper Vipera aspis
weird late summer mating - two Parsley Frogs Pelodytes punctatus and a Yellow-bellied Toad Bombina variegata
Parsley Frog Pelodytes punctatus
Parsley Frog Pelodytes punctatus
Yellow-bellied Toad Bombina variegata
Natterjack Toad Epidalea calamita
Parsley Frog Pelodytes punctatus in typical calling position
Great Crested Newt Triturus cristatus on the crawl
Asp Viper Vipera aspis
Bas with young Western Whip Snake Hierophis viridiflavus
Asp Viper Vipera aspis
Asp Viper Vipera aspis
Asp Viper Vipera aspis
Asp Viper Vipera aspis
Asp Viper Vipera aspis
Barred Grass Snake Natrix helvetica
Bert with subadult Western Whip Snake Hierophis viridiflavus
Western Whip Snake Hierophis viridiflavus
Western Whip Snake Hierophis viridiflavus
Yellow-bellied Toad Bombina variegata
no luck in France, so son and dad searched for Sand Lizard Lacerta agilis on the way back in Belgium in the rain, with a small success
