|
|
|
Aesculapian Snake-II
 |
|
| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Zamenis longissimus (=Elaphe longissima) (Aesculapian snake) [in Turk. Eskülap Yılanı] (Female)
An another capture of this elegant and beautiful -at least for me- non-venomous snake from Gökgöl Caves (#2) located on the road between Zonguldak and Bartın provinces.
TFL and Have a nice WE!
Cheers,
©Bayram GÖÇMEN, Ege University, Faculty of Science. All Rights Reserved.
*****************************
The Aesculapian snake is a relatively slender snake that can reach 2.25 m in total length, but is more usually around 1.4–1.6 m. Adult Aesculapian snakes are a fairly plain brown, yellowish or olive colour and the anterior third of the body is often distinctly lighter. Various white spots and vague longitudinal stripes may also be present. Juveniles are much more boldly marked and somewhat resemble grass snakes, Natrix natrix. It is found from sea level to 2,000 m in a variety of habitats, including deciduous woodland, scrub, marshy areas, traditional farming landscapes and around human dwellings. These snakes seem to prefer humid regions and are often associated with river valleys. They are excellent climbers and it is becoming apparent that they utilise the interior and the canopy of woodlands far more than previously thought. Aesculapian snakes are powerful constrictors and prey on small rodents, making them economically beneficial to farmers, as well as on birds and lizards.
Although a diurnal species it is secretive and seldom seen. Mating Aesculapian snakes perform an elegant “dance” with their front ends raised in an S-shape and the bodies and tails intertwined, the behaviour that is represented on the international medical symbol. An average of 5-11 eggs are laid in some form of decomposing vegetation, such as heaps of leaf litter, compost and manure or humus-filled holes in trees, and many females may utilise the same site if it is particularly favourable for incubation. Juveniles vary from 12-37 cm in length and are fully self-sufficient upon hatching. Aesculapian snakes have numerous predators, especially when young, including many mammals and birds, but do not appear to have many direct competitors among other snakes.
This elegant snake has a wide distribution, occurring in 26 countries, including Turkey, in geographical Europe with just one separate population, around Lake Urmia in northern Iran. In Turkey, there is an isolated population occurs on the northern slopes of Ağrı Dağı (Mount Ararat) in eastern Turkey. Aesculapian snakes are also found in northeast Turkey where they form part of the population along the eastern shores of the Black Sea, extending into Georgia and southern Russia, which is itself separate from the main European distribution. This species is also found in northwest Turkey, where it is connected to the main European distribution via the Greek and Bulgarian populations.
References:
1. Göçmen, B. (Unpub. results). The results of herpetological trips.
2. Budak, A. & Göçmen, B. (2005). Herpetology. Ege Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi Kitaplar Serisi, No. 194, Ege Üniversitesi Basimevi, Bornova-Izmir, 226 pp. [2nd Edition, 2008].
3. Baran, I. & Atatür, M. K. (1998). Turkish Herpetofauna (Amphibians & Reptiles). Ministry of Environment, Ankara. 214 pp.
4. Arnold, N.E. (1978). A Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Britain and Europe.Collins, London, UK, 288 pp. |
milas, Jonela, tanburi, neusser0204 has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekLens members may rate photo notes. |
|
|
|
my good neighbour good morning,
us thematic differs, i here try to escape little from the nature,you know my opinion for your photos...and this scene exceptional, very good output!!!
TFS MF Bayram
Nasos
Günaydın Bayram Hocam,
Bir başka açıdan harika bir kompozisyon ve an daha.
Işık çok güzel
Selahattin E
Bayram hocam merhaba
Sıradışı bir makro çalışması
Nasıl bu kadar yaklaşabiliyorsunuz, bravo
Not süper
İyi hafta sonları
burak
- ayse51
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1695 W: 124 N: 1443]](http://i1.treklens.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(20454) - [2009-09-26 0:49]
-
Merhaba Bayram bey,
Eskülap yılanı çok sevimli görünüyor.Güzel makrolarınızı göre göre en itici bulduğum yılanları bile sevmeye başladım.Sağ olun.Ellerinize sağlık.Necla.
-
- Jonela
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 377 W: 2 N: 378]](http://i1.treklens.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(2767) - [2009-09-26 2:30]
-
Hi Bayram,
There are two things that give me the shivers spiders and snakes so I couldn't get close enough to take the shot. As usual the shot is great the pov good and the details are very sharp, your notes are always exceptional.
Regards
Jon
-
- milas
(32791)
- [2009-09-26 8:14]
-
merhaba hocam...
pek çok kişinin sevmediği yada ürktüğü bu güzel yaratıkların doğanın dengelenmesinde ne denli yararlı olduklarını bilmeyen yoktur, bunlar olmasaydı fareden geçilmezdi her yer....bu yaratıklara çok şey borçluyuz bence, harika bir çekim ve paylaşım...selam ve saygılar...
Merhaba Bayram hoca,
Olağanüstü bir doğa canlısının farklılık
yaratan bir çekimi ve ustalıklı sunumu...
Selam,sevgiler.
Dr.Seyfettin Güner
Bonsoir Bayram
Very spectacular shot of this beautiful snake
Good light, good sharpness and perfect instant
Have a nice evening dear friend
Henri
Ciao Bayram, an other great capture of fantastic snake, splendid sharpness and wonderful details, very well done my friend, ciao Silvio
Hello MF Bayram.
A beautiful image of this aesculapian Snake.The detail and focus are sharp.Beautiful eye contact and wonderful colours.Nicely done.Best regards Siegfried
-
- solrac
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 215 W: 0 N: 49]](http://i1.treklens.com/misc/g-n-s.gif)
(2149) - [2009-10-16 10:13]
-
Excelente imagen de esta serpiente en una postura fantastica captada con gran nitidez y color muy natural
Buen trabajo
un saludo
Good weekend
![Gold Star Critiquer [C: 91 W: 0 N: 5]](http://i1.treklens.com/misc/g-n-n.gif){kind=small}
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 490 W: 48 N: 1827]](http://i1.treklens.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(7200)