Are there snakes on the Camino?

[Nana6]

Are they seen often? In any particular area?
Any dangerous?

 

[trecile]

Are they seen often? In any particular area?
Any dangerous?

I saw a snake on the Norte. It was tiny - looked like a large worm.

 

[Antomuchacho]

I seen one on the pilgrims menu☺

 

[VNwalking]

Sometimes in the spring people see them, but not often. I like snakes, so I am waiting...but alas...never yet.
Some are poisonous. But they are rare.
There was a thread here a while back - maybe check with the search function.

 

[Houlet]

I saw one on the road on the VdlPlata, about a metre long, but not in the least interested in me. I have a photo somewhere.

 

[Tincatinker]

I am shocked and surprised by the dishonesty of long standing members of this forum. There are snakes on the Camino, huge ones, hundreds of them, lethal! No-one finds the bodies because the poor peregrinos get swallowed whole; even their rucksacks....

Well, that should reduce the crowds a bit

 

[VNwalking]

I am shocked and surprised by the dishonesty of long standing members of this forum. There are snakes on the Camino, huge ones, hundreds of them, lethal! No-one finds the bodies because the poor peregrinos get swallowed whole; even their rucksacks....

Oh, you mean the pythons? I forgot about them...

 

[andywild]

I thought I saw one in an albergue but it was dark. When the lights were turned on it turned out to be a skinny French woman in a sleeping bag.

 

[Nana6]

I am shocked and surprised by the dishonesty of long standing members of this forum. There are snakes on the Camino, huge ones, hundreds of them, lethal! No-one finds the bodies because the poor peregrinos get swallowed whole; even their rucksacks....

Well, that should reduce the crowds a bit

It would me, if I believed you.

 

[domigee]

Snakes? Pah. Just watch out for the wolves

 

[Nana6]

I only asked because 1) I was told by someone not on this forum 2) I don't know
Thanks for the humor and the reply

 

[LynnT]

Here's a photo of a Seoane viper (poisonous) seen along the trail before Sarria 3 years ago.

 

[Nana6]

Here's a photo of a Seoane viper (poisonous) seen along the trail before Sarria 3 years ago.View attachment 56504

WOW!

 

[Tincatinker]

AH, sweet. The ones I saw looked more like this:

 

[VNwalking]

Don't mind us, @Nana6. You got us on a goofy night.

 

[Bradypus]

Yes - there are snakes. You are very unlikely to see them on the Camino Frances though: they avoid people where possible. The only venomous ones of any danger to people are the vipers like the Seoane's viper posted above. In the VERY unlikely event of meeting one and EXTREMELY unlikely event of being bitten by one you should seek medical attention but it is not a death sentence! Many viper bites are "dry" with little or no venom. Others may cause pain and local swelling. Some may result in more serious damage. It is important that all bites are medically examined and monitored but the reality is that it is a vanishingly small risk.

 

[Kiwi-family]

Coming from a country that has nothing more dangerous than their mother, my kids were ALWAYS on the lookout for snakes. And we actually have seen quite a few, all but a couple dead. They'll be wanting to walk with @Tincatinker to see his specimens.

(incidentally, the wildlife is one of the big attractions for us - foxes, deer, moles, frogs, giant slugs, wild horses that ran beside us....)

 

[Nana6]

AH, sweet. The ones I saw looked more like this:
View attachment 56505

Are you sure you weren't with Mowgli?
But thanks, I will watch out!

 

[VNwalking]

They'll be wanting to walk with @Tincatinker to see his specimens.

Oh, boy - me too, I can tell you...
You doing tours, @Tincatinker?

 

[Tincatinker]

The Beloved says I'm bed-ward bound. I'll plan itineraries as I sleep.

Buen Caminos a todos

 

[RumAndChupacabras]

I am shocked and surprised by the dishonesty of long standing members of this forum. There are snakes on the Camino, huge ones, hundreds of them, lethal! ...Well, that should reduce the crowds a bit

You Bad~!

 

[RumAndChupacabras]

Hi @Nana6! I have a sanke (I write sanke instead of snake for those who are fearful) I don't like to assume anything however, poor things don't even have eyelids! WE are much more dangerous to them than, they are to us! Stay on trails and don't wander off. I'm going to write that the majority of times, snakes (and ANY other wildlife for that matter) is going to already be away or heading far from trails. They want to survive as much as you do.

 

[Nana6]

Hi @Nana6! I have a sanke (I write sanke instead of snake for those who are fearful) I don't like to assume anything however, poor things don't even have eyelids! WE are much more dangerous to them than, they are to us! Stay on trails and don't wander off. I'm going to write that the majority of times, snakes (and ANY other wildlife for that matter) is going to already be away or heading far from trails. They want to survive as much as you do.

Thank you so much

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Unfortunately there ARE snakes along the Caminos. They are infrequent, but they do steal from those in alburgues and try to con money from unsuspecting pilgrims with fake causes . . . oh, wait. . . you are talking about SNAKE snakes. Sorry.

 

[nycwalking]

Snakes? Pah. Just watch out for the wolves

Especially, the wolves in pilgrim’s clothing.

 

[OTH86]

Actually, I DID encounter a snake, heading up the hill from Rabe just before cresting onto the place where one sees the single tree, and a bit before Hornillos. I was just looking around at the beauty, and noticed a movement to my left. Looked down, and there was a snake - not little, but not large, either - vibrating like mad!! Possibly to get my attention?? S/he was successful! I backed up very slowly, talking to it quietly, and soon enough s/he zipped off - away from me - into the field. I wished her/him a buen camino, and continued my own. Have stopped at that spot a couple of times since to send greetings. I've never cared for snakes, but this was a very positive experience.

 

[Nana6]

Actually, I DID encounter a snake, heading up the hill from Rabe just before cresting onto the place where one sees the single tree, and a bit before Hornillos. I was just looking around at the beauty, and noticed a movement to my left. Looked down, and there was a snake - not little, but not large, either - vibrating like mad!! Possibly to get my attention?? S/he was successful! I backed up very slowly, talking to it quietly, and soon enough s/he zipped off - away from me - into the field. I wished her/him a buen camino, and continued my own. Have stopped at that spot a couple of times since to send greetings. I've never cared for snakes, but this was a very positive experience.

I have had horrible snake experiences in my life so perhaps, my friend, is trying to deter me from going on Camino.
Most of my " friends" think I am crazy.
Don't care.

 

[C clearly]

I was told by someone not on this forum

I was going to ask who would have told you that snakes were any kind of significant concern on the camino. They are NOT! The only explanation is that your...

friend, is trying to deter me from going on Camino.

 

[Deleted member 73526]

Look out for the meseta boa constrictors (Snakes on the plain).

 

[trecile]

Look out for the meseta boa constrictors (Snakes on the plain).

I don't know if I should laugh or groan.

 

[Deleted member 73526]

I don't know if I should laugh or groan.

Neither. You'll give away your position to the snakes:

 

[MaryLynn]

I have never seen a snake on the Camino Frances, but last fall I did see an impressive line of processional caterpillars, snaking their way across the trail. It was amazing!

 

[RumAndChupacabras]

@Nana6 ... CLEARLY sankes are not any major threat or concern (in this Forum, anyway)!

 

[Nana6]

@Nana6 ... CLEARLY sankes are not any major threat or concern (in this Forum, anyway)!

I went and looked up. There are 13 types of snakes in Spain. 5 are venomous. A few are deadly. There are 3-4 deaths a year from snake bites in Spain. So, no snake problem on well worn paths.

 

[Anthony18]

Somewhere on the Camino!

 

[jdpiguet]

Snakes? Pah. Just watch out for the wolves

And the wild bears in the Pyrenees!
Buen Camino,
Jacques-D.
PS: for the vultures, no problem as long as you move

 

[VNwalking]

Most of my " friends" think I am crazy.
Don't care.

You go, girl.

And the snakes? Our general levity about the topic aside, you'll have way more chance of seeing them at home than on the Camino.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

And the wild bears in the Pyrenees!
Buen Camino,
Jacques-D.
PS: for the vultures, no problem as long as you move

Brilliant.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

You go, girl.

And the snakes? Our general levity about the topic aside, you'll have way more chance of seeing them at home than on the Camino.

I hope not .

 

[Pia Valbak Schmidt]

Are they seen often? In any particular area?
Any dangerous?

I have seen some, I have been lucky and have been able to avoid putting my feet on the only small snakes I have seen. But I always get a little chocked.

 

[Mikel Olivares]

Surely there is. But I have never seen any

 

[OzAnnie]

Are they seen often? In any particular area?
Any dangerous?

Hi @Nana6
I haven’t seen any before but I’m on the Vdlp at the moment enjoying a rest day in Salamanca.
A few days ago after Valdelacasa which is before Fuenterroble., I came to a section which was signed in opposing direction to the tracks I was checking from time to time. Both sets of tracks (the Dutch amigos and Gerald Kelly tracks indicated to go straight ahead but the painted flechas said left.
I presumed it may be a farmer who was trying to keep people off his property and decided to follow the gps tracks. (For anyone on the Vdlp ., this is near a big mining section ) I thought I would go the shortcut. Almost through and came across water on path. Jumping around trying to get a dry spot but getting wet anyway —. I was trying to almost get onto the stone fence when I guess I’d frightened some type of snake into the open.
Yikes. I don’t know what type he is.. but he was flitting that forked thing in and out at me.
I tried to distract him to slide/swim away but he wouldn’t move. I wasn’t taking a chance moving through the water ....so decided it was safer to go back and do the longer diversion.
When I got back to the road a farmer I guess stopped to tell me I shouldn’t go that way ‘agua’.
I then showed him my pic of the snake.

I’m not afraid of most things but snakes and spiders aren’t my cuppa tea.

Buen Camino
Annie

 

[Jim Miller]

Are they seen often? In any particular area?
Any dangerous?

 

[Jim Miller]

Yes, this guy was in my room in Acebo.

 

[Pelegrin]

View attachment 56547Yes, this guy was in my room in Acebo.

So because in English you don't have gender in words for animals, every one of them is first a guy.
In Spanish, the word serpiente is feminine, so for us it's first a girl.

 

[Antomuchacho]

View attachment 56547Yes, this guy was in my room in Acebo.

Gimme a bed bug any day jim that would give me the heebeegeebees!!
Dont matter if its a girl or guy to me☺

 

[NorthernLight]

View attachment 56547Yes, this guy was in my room in Acebo.

She's beautiful, in a creepy sort of way.

 

[NorthernLight]

Not for the faint-prone:
In pictures: Italy's annual snake festival in the village of Cocullo https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-48132701

 

[RumAndChupacabras]

So this may help a bit. In general, non venomous have round pupils and elongated heads. While venomous generally have vertical pupils and triangular heads. Hopefully one can ID quickly before it gets as far as seeing teeth.

 

[tomishy]

We are on the Frances at the moment and have seen 2 small between ronscavelles and zubiri

 

[Sparrow in Texas]

So because in English you don't have gender in words for animals, every one of them is first a guy.
In Spanish, the word serpiente is feminine, so for us it's first a girl.

Yes, definately a girl snake, long and slender with endearing eyes!

 

[Anniesantiago]

I've seen a couple of small snakes along the Aragones route over the years.
I just left them alone and they left me alone.

 

[Bob from L.A. !]

In 4 Caminos I' ve only seen 1. (On the Meseta)

 

[Nana6]

View attachment 56547Yes, this guy was in my room in Acebo.

In your room? Oh. No!

 

[emmanuel]

I thought I saw one in an albergue but it was dark. When the lights were turned on it turned out to be a skinny French woman in a sleeping bag.

In your sleeping bag?

 

[Dorpie]

Saw this monster hitching a lift up the hill with one of the bikegrinos on the way to Zariquegui just past Pamplona in 2015. It may still be on the prowl!!

 

[andywild]

In your sleeping bag?

Definitely her sleeping bag.. I wasn't sure until I'd given it a few whacks with my walking pole ..

 

[Walton]

Being Australian and living in a beautiful rural area means living with snakes.

We have a 1.5 metre resident carpet python living in our garage. At the moment, with winter approaching it is currently sleeping in a large white plastic pipe behind the shed. The pipe gets sun on sunny mornings and if you have a warm pipe you get a warm python. Smart python! Also, unlike our neighbours, we don't get rats and mice in our garage. Win for us and a win for the python. Love it.

As for the Camino, yes there are snakes. Attached is a video of a viper that almost was accidentally stepped on by a dutchman who was walking beside me but not watching where we walked - something that I naturally do, living rurally in Australia. That dutchman probably still has a sore chest where I flung my right arm out to stop him stepping on it. The video was taken somewhere on the Meseta on a track going up a hill to a very old cave like church. I have forgotten exactly where though.

This was in October 2016 and it was cool, so be aware there are snakes that are active both in hot and cooler weather.

Unfortunately, out of the small crowd that had gathered around, someone had picked up a rock intending to kill the snake before I had to intervene and ensure the snake was safely out of harms way. There was absolutely no reason to try to kill this snake even though it is probably venomous. It is a part of our planets wonderful world.

Don't be frightened of snakes. Just watch where you walk, and if you are lucky enough to see one, leave it alone, detour around it and be grateful that you had the chance to see an interesting creature in the wild.

By the way, ticks and mosquitos are far more dangerous.

Buen Camino

 

[VNwalking]

I hope not .

The OP is from Texas. There are lots of snakes in Texas, some of which are seriously bad-a** ones.

this guy was in my room in Acebo.

Wow. Cute.
I like snakes but have never seen one on the camino. You are all much luckier than I am. But in my room? Uh-uh. He or she would be gently ushered outside.
Edit...@Walton...thank you...no need to fear these guys. And they live here too.
And yes, ticks are much more of a risk to our health and well-being.

 

[emmanuel]

Definitely her sleeping bag.. I wasn't sure until I'd given it a few whacks with my walking pole ..

For a moment I thought you had found a skinny french snake in your sleeping bag.

Yes, definately a girl snake, long and slender with endearing eyes!

French and slender, but still a snake.

 

[emmanuel]

For a moment I thought you had found a skinny french snake in your sleeping bag.

French and slender, but still a snake.

Bon soir mademoiselle, what can I do for you?

 

[Bradypus]

As for the Camino, yes there are snakes. Attached is a video of a viper that almost was accidentally stepped on by a dutchman who was walking beside me but not watching where we walked -

Pretty sure that is a juvenile ladder snake - not a viper. Harmless. Which makes the knee-jerk reaction of those who wanted to kill it all the more sad.

 

[tpmchugh]

I saw a snake on the Norte. It was tiny - looked like a large worm.

Seen one at Cruz de ferro. Very small and disappeared very quickly

 

[RumAndChupacabras]

Wow @Bradypus, good call! It certainly appears to have a triangular shaped head but, you're right about many folks' knee-jerk reactions.

 

[Nana6]

Being Australian and living in a beautiful rural area means living with snakes.

We have a 1.5 metre resident carpet python living in our garage. At the moment, with winter approaching it is currently sleeping in a large white plastic pipe behind the shed. The pipe gets sun on sunny mornings and if you have a warm pipe you get a warm python. Smart python! Also, unlike our neighbours, we don't get rats and mice in our garage. Win for us and a win for the python. Love it.

As for the Camino, yes there are snakes. Attached is a video of a viper that almost was accidentally stepped on by a dutchman who was walking beside me but not watching where we walked - something that I naturally do, living rurally in Australia. That dutchman probably still has a sore chest where I flung my right arm out to stop him stepping on it. The video was taken somewhere on the Meseta on a track going up a hill to a very old cave like church. I have forgotten exactly where though.

This was in October 2016 and it was cool, so be aware there are snakes that are active both in hot and cooler weather.

Unfortunately, out of the small crowd that had gathered around, someone had picked up a rock intending to kill the snake before I had to intervene and ensure the snake was safely out of harms way. There was absolutely no reason to try to kill this snake even though it is probably venomous. It is a part of our planets wonderful world.

Don't be frightened of snakes. Just watch where you walk, and if you are lucky enough to see one, leave it alone, detour around it and be grateful that you had the chance to see an interesting creature in the wild.

By the way, ticks and mosquitos are far more dangerous.

Buen Camino

Thanks for the advice. I don't like snakes of any kind but have no intention of killing one either
Where I walk in Texas, I have seen several copperheads ( very hard to see and mean guys) and other grass snakes. We have Rattlers too but not has much as West Texas.

 

[Nana6]

Don't mind us, @Nana6. You got us on a goofy night.

No problem. Enjoyed the humor. I just want to be aware. I know the Camnio is not a walk in the park. It is doable if I continue to get in shape. Doing better getting there

 

[RumAndChupacabras]

...Also, unlike our neighbours, we don't get rats and mice in our garage. Win for us and a win for the python. Love it.

Exactly!

 

[Nana6]

Being Australian and living in a beautiful rural area means living with snakes.

We have a 1.5 metre resident carpet python living in our garage. At the moment, with winter approaching it is currently sleeping in a large white plastic pipe behind the shed. The pipe gets sun on sunny mornings and if you have a warm pipe you get a warm python. Smart python! Also, unlike our neighbours, we don't get rats and mice in our garage. Win for us and a win for the python. Love it.

As for the Camino, yes there are snakes. Attached is a video of a viper that almost was accidentally stepped on by a dutchman who was walking beside me but not watching where we walked - something that I naturally do, living rurally in Australia. That dutchman probably still has a sore chest where I flung my right arm out to stop him stepping on it. The video was taken somewhere on the Meseta on a track going up a hill to a very old cave like church. I have forgotten exactly where though.

This was in October 2016 and it was cool, so be aware there are snakes that are active both in hot and cooler weather.

Unfortunately, out of the small crowd that had gathered around, someone had picked up a rock intending to kill the snake before I had to intervene and ensure the snake was safely out of harms way. There was absolutely no reason to try to kill this snake even though it is probably venomous. It is a part of our planets wonderful world.

Don't be frightened of snakes. Just watch where you walk, and if you are lucky enough to see one, leave it alone, detour around it and be grateful that you had the chance to see an interesting creature in the wild.

By the way, ticks and mosquitos are far more dangerous.

Buen Camino

I was hoping if I waited till October they would be gone. Oh well, no big deal
I hope I fall into walking with a group of people then. Lol

 

[Bradypus]

Wow @Bradypus, good call! It certainly appears to have a triangular shaped head but, you're right about many folks' knee-jerk reactions.

The young ladder snake does have a quite angular head. The reason I reckon the video is a juvenile ladder snake is the very regular pattern of horizontal bars on its back - the classic "ladder" pattern of that harmless species rather than the much more irregular zigzag or diamond pattern typical of the Spanish viper species. In the adult ladder snake these disappear leaving only long lines parallel to the spine.

 

[Nana6]

Saw this monster hitching a lift up the hill with one of the bikegrinos on the way to Zariquegui just past Pamplona in 2015. It may still be on the prowl!!

View attachment 56556

Wow! Did the biker know? Big surprise!

 

[Dorpie]

Wow! Did the biker know? Big surprise!

Not until he stopped at the albergue and went to remove his panniers.

 

[robproct]

Not until he stopped at the albergue and went to remove his panniers.

I saw 4 on the Portuguese in October, most were dead squashed on the road where they had been warming up. Then this one which I spotted near Santarem. I think its a common European Viper (adder). I think she is quite beautiful.

 

[nycwalking]

Definitely her sleeping bag.. I wasn't sure until I'd given it a few whacks with my walking pole ..

Glad you qualified what pole with which you whacked.

 

[Nana6]

I saw 4 on the Portuguese in October, most were dead squashed on the road where they had been warming up. Then this one which I spotted near Santarem. I think its a common European Viper (adder). I think she is quite beautiful.View attachment 56561

Big snake!

I bet the biker watched his bike carefully before riding again

 

[Nana6]

Yes - there are snakes. You are very unlikely to see them on the Camino Frances though: they avoid people where possible. The only venomous ones of any danger to people are the vipers like the Seoane's viper posted above. In the VERY unlikely event of meeting one and EXTREMELY unlikely event of being bitten by one you should seek medical attention but it is not a death sentence! Many viper bites are "dry" with little or no venom. Others may cause pain and local swelling. Some may result in more serious damage. It is important that all bites are medically examined and monitored but the reality is that it is a vanishingly small risk.

Thanks

 

[Deleted member 2518]

I thought I saw one in an albergue but it was dark. When the lights were turned on it turned out to be a skinny French woman in a sleeping bag.

 

[JacTx]

Reading all these comments, I can’t help remembering the original “Parent Trap” movie with Hayley Mills, Brian Keith and Maureen O’Hara. When the twins are camping/hiking with their dad and his girlfriend and they tell her to constantly beat 2 sticks together to keep the snakes away. I can see it now - pilgrims beating their walking poles together. I’m sorry - it just kept flashing through my head!
—Jackie

 

[Davey Boyd]

Haven't seen any live ones on the Camino Frances unfortunately. Saw a few on the Salvador/Primitivo. Saw more on the VDLP. Saw many in France though! This one was my favorite





From my blog at the time:

It was nearly 6pm when I was about to enter St. Chely d’Aubrac , but as I trudged down the road into town I was stopped in my tracks by a huge snake sunning itself dead centre in the middle of the road. The snake was about 2 metres long and as I got near it raised its head and hissed at me. It didn’t seem scared off me at all! I tried going around it but each time I tried it hissed even more. There was nothing I could do; I just couldn’t get past it. So, I thought to myself, ‘the bloody thing has the right of way’ so I just waited until it could be bothered to move. I was there for at least ten minutes before it slid off into the bushes letting me past at last. At least it was there long enough for me to get some excellent photographs of it. Later researching it I found out it was a Couleuvre verte et Jaune or Western Whip Snake. Online I found out this about it;

“The Couleuvre verte et Jaune is above all else a powerful snake, though normally discreet it can be obstinate and aggressive, thrashing the ground with its tail and hissing when angered, sometimes tilting its head back and then striking and biting with force, it is this force which gives it the ability to overcome its victims but is of no serious concern to humans. It is also an agile climber weaving its way with speed through bushes and hedgerows.”

Though glad I saw it I was more than glad when it cleared off.

I love to see them. Most will shy away from you unless you hassle them, Beautiful things.

Davey

 

[Bradypus]

@Davey Boyd What a fantastic sighting! I am very jealous. I did see one of these as roadkill on the Via Francigena. But the snake I really want to see in Spain (or France) is the Montpellier Snake. Known to the Spanish as "culebra bastarda". They grow big and can be quite stroppy apparently but no danger to people. Impressive creatures.

 

[Bradypus]

I saw 4 on the Portuguese in October, most were dead squashed on the road where they had been warming up. Then this one which I spotted near Santarem. I think its a common European Viper (adder). I think she is quite beautiful.View attachment 56561

Not a viper. A Horseshoe Whip Snake. Non-venomous and harmless. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horseshoe_whip_snake

 

[VNwalking]

I am very jealous

Me too.
And envious of that guy with the culebra bastarda, as well. Wow.

 

[Bradypus]

The story @Walton gives with his video above saddens me. Even if the snake in question was a viper killing it would be unnecessary in any case. I am glad to hear that he was able to intervene and allow it to pass on unhurt - especially as I am convinced that the snake in question was NOT a viper but a harmless ladder snake. Looking back through this thread and others concerning snakes I have seen at least four non-venomous species in photos mistakenly labelled as "vipers". Very unfortunate when there are people walking whose immediate response is to kill snakes on sight. I think that whether you believe a snake to be venomous or not it is always best to keep a sensible distance of several meters from any that you encounter. As much for the snake's sake as for your own. Wild animals like these are easily stressed by human contact.

 

[VNwalking]

Wild animals like these are easily stressed by human contact.

A sad commentary on our action in general.
And unfortunately very true. Nice post, thank you @Bradypus .

 

[Bradypus]

Something for those who perhaps view snakes with fear and suspicion. A poem by DH Lawrence about overcoming that and seeing them in a very different light. Something I read as a child which I found very powerful.

Snake

A snake came to my water-trough

m.poets.org

 

[Walton]

The story @Walton gives with his video above saddens me. Even if the snake in question was a viper killing it would be unnecessary in any case. I am glad to hear that he was able to intervene and allow it to pass on unhurt - especially as I am convinced that the snake in question was NOT a viper but a harmless ladder snake.

I stayed with that snake until it was out of sight and well away from the track. If I don't know exactly what snake it is, I leave it alone and stay well out of striking distance.

Darned if I know why some humans want to kill anything that is dangerous to us, especially when they will go on their way if left alone. Snakes and spiders particularly. They have a role to play in the environment and from what I've witnessed, these creatures seem happiest away from us.

On the other hand, I'll happily kill any mosquito or tick that I find because they may carry a very nasty virus or disease and because they target us. Bedbugs too, although luckily, I've never seen one but have seen what they can do to a human.

You could make a fortune on the Camino during high season selling fly and mosquito swats, bed bug squishing hammers and providing pay as you go, portaloos every few kilometres.

Anyway, for your amusement, I have attached a poor quality photo of a non-venomous Australian Carpet Python. This one is an old friend that has been gently evicted from the chook pen, multiple times. Her name is Olive. The rubbish bin holds old chook manure for the vegetable garden and its dirty because rain splashed mud onto the sides. The rocks on the left are placed there to prevent foxes fron digging under the wire fence at night to get into the pen and to get a chook dinner.

 

[MaryLynn]

Beauiful markings!

 

[Walton]

Close up for you Marylyn. Our pen is covered with wire - Olive climbs very well and often sleeps on top of the chook pen. She is watching me go about my daily chores here.

 

[RumAndChupacabras]

...A poem by DH Lawrence about overcoming that and seeing them in a very different light...

This is beautiful! What a read...thank you for sharing it. I have one cornsnake (had 4). Snakes are amazing and to this day I still luv it when I catch her drinking, lol.

 

[Mike T]

I have never seen a snake on the Camino Frances, but last fall I did see an impressive line of processional caterpillars, snaking their way across the trail. It was amazing!

Processional caterpillars are dangerous to humans and deadly to dogs - the hairs on these small creatures are poisonous/toxic at this point of their development and are inhaled by animals who sniff the caterpillars with disastrous consequences (for humans: just don't touch them). Usually found near pine trees where they started life. Both these creatures and snakes mind their own business - unless you interfere (which of course you can easily do when you're unaware of their presence)

 

[Opa Theo]

Yes - there are snakes. You are very unlikely to see them on the Camino Frances though: they avoid people where possible. The only venomous ones of any danger to people are the vipers like the Seoane's viper posted above. In the VERY unlikely event of meeting one and EXTREMELY unlikely event of being bitten by one you should seek medical attention but it is not a death sentence! Many viper bites are "dry" with little or no venom. Others may cause pain and local swelling. Some may result in more serious damage. It is important that all bites are medically examined and monitored but the reality is that it is a vanishingly small risk.

Last September 2018 I was bit by a snake the day we flew to Spain for our first Camino. We had a night flight so to get in a little exercise I took one last hike in the forest of Connecticut. I walked through a seldom used trail that was overgrown with vines with thorns. I felt something cut into my ankle and legs, I had trail runners on, and I had to struggle out of the weeds. I glimpsed a large black snake by my feet and ran off. I thought I got cut by the thorns because my legs were scratched up.
The snake I saw was not a Copperhead or a Rattle snake. It was solid black. Probably a water snake.
Showered and dressed and left for the airport.
When the plane began preparations for landing in Madrid I pulled back my sock and was amazed to see the bite marks of a snake's mouth. When we got wifi I looked up images of snakebites. My wound did not have the tell tale 2 fang marks of a poisonous snake. For the next 2 weeks the ankle was swollen and I kept applying antibiotic cream.
A bigger problem in my area is lyme ticks. Which can cause a serious infection.
Does Spain have infectious ticks?

 

[Deleted member 56069]

Maybe there are, but in 6 Camino's I have not seen one yet. I typically walk early spring or late fall, so maybe cooler temperatures keep them hidden.
This year it rained and snowed many days, so not ideal snake weather!

 

[Bradypus]

When we got wifi I looked up images of snakebites. My wound did not have the tell tale 2 fang marks of a poisonous snake. For the next 2 weeks the ankle was swollen and I kept applying antibiotic cream.

Even a bite from a non-venomous snake can be a problem. Snakes eat raw dead animals, do not brush their teeth and their oral hygiene is not good. So even if there is no venom in the bite there is a risk of bacterial infection. Important to disinfect a bite as thoroughly as possible and keep an eye open for signs of infection.
PS. I have a pet Royal Python (or ball python if you are on the other side of the pond... ). A remarkably gentle and docile non-venomous animal who has never even threatened to bite. One of the most popular pet snake species because of their very placid nature. But if I ever take that gentle nature for granted then this photo of a Royal Python skull makes a useful reminder not to be too complacent

A bigger problem in my area is lyme ticks. Which can cause a serious infection.
Does Spain have infectious ticks?

Yes but they are rarely a serious problem.

 

[MaryLynn]

Close up for you Marylyn. Our pen is covered with wire - Olive climbs very well and often sleeps on top of the chook pen. She is watching me go about my daily chores here.
View attachment 56598

She is beautiful and it sounds like she is easy to live with. I just got a message from a friend who is walking the Pacific Crest Trail that they found a rattle snake snuggled up against their backpacks when they got up this morning. I think I prefer your python.

 

[Mike Savage]

Baskian viper that I encountered on the Francés. It wanted nothing to do with me.

 

[Nana6]

Maybe there are, but in 6 Camino's I have not seen one yet. I typically walk early spring or late fall, so maybe cooler temperatures keep them hidden.
This year it rained and snowed many days, so not ideal snake weather!

Good to know

 

[Nana6]

Somewhere on the Camino!

You are so bad. Lol

 

[Marcus-UK]

Are they seen often? In any particular area?
Any dangerous?

The common poisonous snake in Spain is the European Viper which is called an Adder in England. Poisonous and painful but rarely fatal. There are one or two others but I am not sure of there distribution in Spain. If you are walking on the path you should be able to see any snakes. Snakes try and avoid open spaces because of the birds that catch them! However early mornings they can be found on rocks in full sun charging up their solar batteries.This time of year is the start of the mating season for Adders and they perform a dance around each other. fascinating to watch!

 

[offtrail1]

I met this fellow in my bathroom at La Casa del Peregrino in El Acebo...mildly poisonous Montpelier - I grabbed my lance (hiking pole) to joust him out into the hallway, then out the door into the night. I must have looked Cervantes-esque battling monsters in my underwear!

 

[Bradypus]

@offtrail1 That's a great photo but he or she isn't a Montpellier Snake. The long lines down the back are the giveaway. It is a Ladder Snake. Non-venomous. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ladder_snake

 

[offtrail1]

@offtrail1 That's a great photo but he or she isn't a Montpellier Snake. The long lines down the sides are the giveaway. It is a Ladder Snake. Non-venomous. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ladder_snake

Thanks for that, Ivar. I feel a little better now. Greetings from California!