which snake sloughed these please

Lemars · #1 (**permalink**) 10-03-2011, 09:50 AM

Good morning

I wonder if anyone would be able to identify these sloughed snake skins for me ?
Are they adder or some other snake or slow-worm ?

The first one was found a couple of days ago and is about 9" long, but the second is from last year and is at least 12"

Many thanks

Lemars · #2 (**permalink**) 10-03-2011, 09:51 AM

sorry - they've appeared in the opposite order. The first is the older, larger skin.

Dogghound · #3 (**permalink**) 10-03-2011, 09:58 AM

look like slow worm, do you have any other photo's showing more of the skin?

Lemars · #4 (**permalink**) 10-03-2011, 10:04 AM

Thank you DH - I'll go and take some now, but thought the close-up would be more useful.
They're not in a very good state, I'm afraid.
Watch this space
C

ViperaBerus · #5 (**permalink**) 10-03-2011, 10:06 AM

Definately not a slow worm. It's snake. Lack of keels points to Smooth snake or more likely Aesculapian snake in your area.

JaySteel · #6 (**permalink**) 10-03-2011, 10:10 AM

I'm no expert but I'd agree with ViperaBerus. That's if this slough came from a native snake at all. The sloughs from my corn snake look just the same as it also has unkeeled scales.

Best regards,

Jason

Lemars · #7 (**permalink**) 10-03-2011, 10:28 AM

I've prepared some more photos, but - for some reason - I can't attach them. They're in the Gallery - but not usable now.

The `rules' at the bottom say I `may not post attachments', though I've no idea why that should be (I went to look when neither Gallery nor library images would open).

Unless someone can explain to me what I should do, I'd have to open another thread, I guess.

Can anyone offer any explanation or advice, please ?
C

Deb London · #8 (**permalink**) 10-03-2011, 10:31 AM

Are these them Lemars?

Lemars · #9 (**permalink**) 10-03-2011, 10:35 AM

hey - thank you Deb - that's great !!

Why on earth was I having such difficulty ?

That said - those are the shots. Given the previous suggestions, I wondered if those two cuddling up could have been responsible - and I'm sorry to hitch non-native species to the WAB site, but it was more to be sure they're not adders. My dogs were very excited before I found the skins - more a process of elimination, really.
C

JaySteel · #10 (**permalink**) 10-03-2011, 10:42 AM

The second photo looks like western whipsnakes which often bite when handled but are non-venomous snakes. They also have unkeeled scales.
But I could be completely wrong.

Best regards,

Jason