Des compagnons "grivelants"

   When we cut the grass, we always need to have high-sided boots and trousers as we never know who we’ll come across. The small field mice normally make a quick getaway and the butterflies flutter away…

   Sometimes, we make some more unusual acquaintances. However, this year we were treated to quite a few rampant encounters. On the 20^th of June, in the middle of the cut burdock field, an anguis poked its nose above the grass. At first glance, we just identified it as “snake” so decided to put it in a box and bring it far away.

   Finally, as we had taken the time to take some pictures, we found out that it was just an anguis (anguis fragilis). We didn’t want to keep it for too long in the box but in the end, we could have left it alone in its zone as there’s no risk of being bitten by it. Also, it doesn’t like to live close to vipers, so having an anguis is synonymous of “no viper here.” In fact, it’s not a snake; it’s classified as a ‘legless lizard’ ! You can see the nuance with the snake I’m sure.

   Just like a lizard, it can, in case of danger, leave a bit of its tail behind (from which it takes its name of ‘glass worm’ due to the fragility of it). It can only do that once however as the new growth is shorter, darker and more rigid.

   Skipping forward a bit of time (until the 4^th of July), at the foot of the steps, I arrive at 20cm from a snake, a real one this time and I’m paralysed… 1 second… then I shout “Anton snake” as he was off finding the wandering cows slightly higher up the mountain. I go off to fetch the camera but he arrives and there’s nothing left at the foot of the stairs.

   Snake = potential death so there’s no chance of letting this charming creature be in the neighbourhood. I knew that having a pile of rocks was not a good idea ! Patiently, and with goosebumps all over, I help to move the rocks with a big stick and suddenly there he is (left), coiled and hidden away. "You, my friend, are going to go have a look at the adjacent field to see if the grass is greener". He even left some scale-marks on a stone (top-right).

   As it seemed to go forward quite slowly, the ‘snake on a stick’ solution seemed like the right one to get rid of it. It seemed to have eaten quite a bit as its stomach is slightly fatter. Some adjustments to calibrate where to hold it with the stick and off it goes for a 100m journey ‘hanging’ on the stick. Well, he fell off a few times of course, but what brings ice to the veins is that it seems to “speed”, though slowed down, right back at us (bottom-right).

   And killing it ? Oh yes, it’s a solution, but neither Anton-E nor I have the heart to do it and after all, there’s enough space for everyone… though far from one another.

   I, who had only seen snakes two or three times over the course of 23 years, was well served with regards to serpents. On the 6^th, I climb the stairs with my arms full and, close to the top, I see an aspic viper (vipera aspis, left) in the grass. Dammit, we got rid of one, and now the spouse is probably looking for it ! "Anton snake". This time, it’s swiftly decided that it will go to meet its spouse in the adjacent field. To improve their surroundings, we even put down some rocks. The snake was nice and warm from the sun, and was therefore faster than the previous one, though still nowhere near the human walking pace. When it falls off of the stick, it comes back towards us quicker than the other one… so I backpedal asap. The brave one is Anton-E who, with his long stick, catches it and catches it again with as delicately as possible.

   But hey, you say, why is it in a box (right) ?

   Well… that’s the 3^rd act in this aspic viper tale.

The viper… the comeback !

   Here we are. Anton-Emmanuel keeps an eye on things as he thinks that there could be some others and lo and behold, on the 8^th, he spots one hidden under the concrete in front of the entrance. Strange, how strange it all is ! Is it possible that the viper came back and that there is only one ? We can’t really blame her, it’s really hot here in the sun, and in the fields, it’s all humidity and shadow so the choice is made. No means of dislodging it and tomorrow we travel South, so we’ll have to keep an eye open.

   Once it’s time to go… in a rush… the next day, here she is, warming the tip of her snout in the grass by the side of the house. We had devised an action plan in advance and it will be a long-distance travel in a box. The first, perfect box, is a logistical problem as it doesn’t fit into the car and we’re in a rush.

   Finally, our aspic, duly indexed, which we confirmed by photograph that it’s the same one with its cat’s eyes that make me shudder when it seems to look right at me, will travel 2km in the car with his nose over the box. After having placed her in a sunny area with some wooden planks and rocks, I breathe a sigh of relief as I doubt she can slither so far.

   We had a lucky escape as Jean-Louis, seeing the photos, confirmed that the small protuberant belly must mean that she was with child of several baby vipers. Do you imagine, between 4 and 15 of the critters frolicking in front of our door ? Ouh, now, breath easy :)