Common name : Viperine water snake
Scientific name : Natrix maura
Family : Colubridae
Native to : Europe and Africa
Interesting fact : When threatened they spray foul-smelling musk, liquid and faeces.
Conservation status : Least Concern
The Viperine snake gets its name from the fact that it strikes like the adder snake but without actually biting as it is non-venomous. Typical zig-zag patterns in black are found on its brown body while the belly is checkered in black and yellow or red. Found in rivers, lakes and swamps, they feed on fish, frogs, earthworms and tadpoles.
