Viperine Snake
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Natrix maura
Common & widespread in France, Spain & Portugal between April-September.
N. maura is grey, brown, or reddish dorsally, with a black zigzag vertebral stripe, and lateral series of black ocelli with yellow centers.
The labials are yellow with black sutures. It has a diagonal dark band on each temple, and another behind it on each side of the neck.
Ventrally, it is yellow or red, checkered with black, or all black.
The strongly keeled dorsal scales are arranged in 21 rows.
The ventrals are 147–160; the anal plate is divided; and the paired subcaudals number 47–72.
Adults may attain a total length of 85 cm (33 inches), with a tail 17 cm (7 inches) long.