Baskian viper (Vipera seoanei) in Irati forest

Baskian Viper(Vipera seoanei)

We  found it in the access road to the Irati forest  from Aezkoa valley(Navarre), between the hut of the toilets and the information point. It seemed dozing on the road to get more heat, but as we approached to take photos, and finally try away with a stick, we realized she was dead.It was not very visible injury near the tail, and the death was recent because recently we had been there.
In Irati we have two kinds of snakes, theEuropean Asp (Vipera aspis), of most Mediterranean distribution, with which Cleopatra committed suicide, and this other, Baskian viper(Vipera seoanei), from the north of the Iberian Peninsula, without snout like the European Asp, but with vertical pupils of all snakes. It is considered endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, ie not living in other parts of the world.
We had been for a day in the point of information and we had been  showing  to the people who had some interest in wildlife, after asking if they wanted to see, as there are many people with a phobia of snakes. Finally we had to throw.

It measured 65 cm. long. Really big for the species.

If you are interested in a good link about the world of snakes of the Iberian Peninsule, here you are a good link(also in english):

www.viborasdelapeninsulaiberica.com/

Aesculapian snake(Zamenis longissimus)

Aesculapian snake(Zamenis longissimus)

In another article I have mentioned that the snakes, which are cold-blooded, like the heat of the rocks and especially the road, and often go there to get some energy. The road for being black still warmer than the rest of local rocks, with lighter colors.
This time this poor  Aesculapian snake  (Zamenis longissimus) was hit yesterday while  was sunbathing on Orotz Betelu(Navarre), a village near the Irati forest.

It was about 85 inches long, (Adults can reach 2 meters) and a wheel of a motorcycle, looking by the small size of the wound, was caught in the middle.

Usually eat mice, eggs, birds and reptiles, the same way as the famous Anaconda or Boa constrictor; drowning with his body.

A good page to know more about this type of snake (not poisonous) is this web of biodiversity of the Government of Navarra. not very full, but very clear

http://www.biodiversidad.navarra.es/Especie.aspx?id=704&lg=fr

Belly of the  Aesculapian snake with crush injury

                                                                                                                      

Note that in Navarre, only vipers snakes (much smaller)  can inoculate  venom  and they only will bite us in case of being cornered.

I have a friend who was bitten by a snake some years ago years in the forest, in another  nearby area of ​​Navarre when he went to sit down and he didn´t saw where he put his hand on the ground. He went to hospital and there,they gave him the antidote. In about three weeks I was recovered .If he had not laid the hand on the viper never had bitten, and he didn´t realized of his presence

An older woman in Bera (North Navarre) told me on another occasion that a reaper had been bitten at this time, when they was cutting the grass of the meadows  with the scythe.

. Be always careful where you put your hand or where you step, but not afraid. Only respect.

Easter holidays¿What to see in the forest of Irati?

With the arrival of the Easter holidays, many people will choose to come visit Irati forest. To make the trip as enjoyable as possible, we must bear in mind a few things;

Mount Azalegi(Aezkoa,Navarre)

1. There is still snow on the mountains. This may be an incentive, or a disadvantage depending on how prepared we go. Thus, hiking boots, if you walk out of the tracks, or even to walk on some of them, are highly recommended.
2. Of the two entries on Navarre to Irati  (Aezkoa and Salazar) at the moment only Aezkoa valley is open, (from Orbaizeta) because by Otsagabia / Ochagavia (Salazar Valley) there is still too much snow and not pass snowplows. This may change, so the  best is to ask in the information Office of Otsagabia: oit.ochagavia @ cfnavarra.es In any case, the village of  Otsagabia and Salazar/ Zaraitzu valley in general well worth a visit.                                                                                                  The time point Arrazola information is from 9:00 to 19:00 from Saturday 23 March until 1 April inclusive.
3. As the weather forecast indicates that something will upset your best if you go with warm clothes, spare clothes, and I will also recommend the umbrella than a raincoat only. Around here at least, you will not see a shepherd in the rain with a raincoat. They use the umbrella, because  it's what you'll driest maintain.

Megalithic area of Azpegi(Aezkoa,Navarre) with Mendilatz nature reserve in the background

     4.Bad weather can be an opportunity to visit the villages of these Pyrenean valleys, nooks filled with a lot of mystery, magic and history. Within half an hour we pass from one valley to another, around landscapes that will be in the memory for a long time.

Narcissus asturiensis

5. Dont take  flowers  that are beginning to emerge. Although some sites will look very abundant, it may just be in that small area, and outside to be very slim. You can remember best by a good photo. Moreover, in this way, the coming years this plant will be reproduced and  will be still mor

            6. The wildlife starts to move. About three weeks ago I took this photo of a wild cat (Felis silvestris) while waiting in the middle of a meadow vole or to a field mouse move to remove some of the hunger winter. It was not in Irati but on the way to  there . In general, wildlife in Navarra is varied and rich.

Wild cat(Felis silvestris)

Smooth snake  (Coronella  Austriaca)

7. For the same reason, this snake, an Smooth snake, harmless to us started out of his slumber to catch any mice or small insects and encouraged by the first warm rays of sunshine began to poke his head out of their shelters winter

 8.Finally, I invite you to do a tour with us, where we will explain  you everything we  will see in our way. You can also visiting our web: www.itarinatura.com  or put you directly in contact with us, either at the point of information Arrazola (Irati Aezkoa valley,Navarre) or with our email : itarinatura@itarinatura.com

A hot nest



Before the cleaning

A few days ago, clearing the  access to the swamp of Irabia of little landslides (marls), they appeared by chance a lot of small  and fragile shell eggs.


During the cleaning












I counted 20 eggs in total, between hatched (the majority) and those who followed integers.They had very soft shell.

.When broken one (it was inevitable, using shovel and hoe but carefully) certainly could see what they were.

 Definitely they were common wall lizards (Podarcis muralis) rockers, whose eggs were still warm in the loam, south side,  ease to heating.In the picture above we can see still the breeding with part of the yolk that served as food.


Once out of the shell, and letting the sun was getting some vitality.
Lizards are great insect eaters, and unfortunately fun for many school boys and girls in the yards of their schools or walls of  the villages .

Reptiles in the forest of Irati

Arrazola (Irati from Aezkoa) October 6, 2011

Even when the heating season is running, you can still see some reptile heat up the road, when the black asphalt, on sunny days gets very hot, and as the reptiles are warm-blooded no need to get that heat outside.

The picture shows an asp (Vipera aspis) hit the road to Irati, who brought a friend so we could see it.

Tourists who spent yesterday were surprised to have the opportunity of seeing a snake so closely.