No garters...

[Kali]

Hi there,
Like the title says, no garters here.
A member of another forum advised me to come here, as you guys seem to be the ones that can help me.
Yesterday I collected a snake from the garage of a friends (completely freaked out) mother. Apparantly it's probably some kind of Natrix, maybe Natrix maura.

It's not legal to keep certain Natrix species, so I'd like to find out which one I have here.

Is it allowed to post a pic for you guys to take a look at? And if so, where? Is The lounge the place for that or should I just do it here?

Thanks in advance.

[Stefan-A]

Welcome aboard.

Go ahead and post the picture. You can either post it here in this thread, or some suitable thread in the Lounge. Or if you can't find one, start a new thread there. The Garter Snake Lounge - Garter Snake Forum

[infernalis]

I'm sure no one would mind if you just post your photograph in this thread.

[guidofatherof5]

Nice to have you on the forum.
Looking forward to seeing this snake.

[Kali]

Ok thanx. Here goes then.
So like I said, found in a garage. When I got there, and looked at it closely, it started hissing enormously. I have corns, kings, milks and hognoses, none of them hiss like that
But he didn't try to tag me at all, just wanted me to go away.

The first two pics are without flash, but with indoor lighting (was dark outside when I got home with him), the third is with flash, and I think that one gets the closest to his actual color.
He seems to have some bumps and bruises and a few damaged scales, but they don't seem to bother him much. I'm keeping a close eye on him just in case.

The only Natrix in Belgium is Natrix natrix, and to my (very) untrained eye this doesn't seem one of them. The head is different no? In any case, he would be very far out of his range and habitat where I found him.
Somebody suggested Natrix maura (viperine snake).

I hope you can help me here. If I know what he is, and it's not illegal, I might just keep him

[Stefan-A]

It looks more like Natrix tessellata to me. I'm certain that it is one.

Unfortunately I don't have the appropriate literature with me at the moment, but you should have at least two Natrix species in Belgium. It's difficult to find reliable distribution maps for European snakes.

[Charis]

Hi Kali! Welcome! This is Tavia on CS.com

[Kali]

Ah Stefan, again proof of how little I know about this

Hi there Tavia! Thanks for the tip!

[guidofatherof5]

Beautiful snake.

[drache]

welcome to the forum, and congrats on your lovely find