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Yes! Especially the two legged variety.Snakes? Pah. Just watch out for the wolves
Where I live on the midcoast of NSW I have lots of yellow-belly black snakes and too many browns (one brown is too many!), There are also poisonous bandy-bandies and lovely diamond pythons, (the latter live in my ceiling and keep down the rats and possums - provided they win their accomodation fight with goannas).
Awesome read on your journey.Beautiful pictures. HUGE snake!Found quite a big one, freshly squashed, after La Romieu on the Le Puy route. Here is the visual evidence:
A CHAI IN ARMAGNAC
From La Romieu, for a while the soft rolling country gives way to immense flats which could be part of the black soil country of the Darling Downs. And another Aussie touch a bit later. It needs re…slowcamino.wordpress.com
Where I live on the midcoast of NSW I have lots of yellow-belly black snakes and too many browns (one brown is too many!), There are also poisonous bandy-bandies and lovely diamond pythons, (the latter live in my ceiling and keep down the rats and possums - provided they win their accomodation fight with goannas).
Still, you don't expect things that slither, clamber or hop in Gascony. Get quite enough of that chez moi.
Nana, one of my diamond pythons a few years back reached 12-13 feet. Not sure, since I didn't feel like getting him to stretch right out. (Crocodile Moso: "Call that a snake? THIS is a snake!")Awesome read on your journey.Beautiful pictures. HUGE snake!
Thank you for sharing
I am glad you enjoy your snake I am happy viewing picturesNana, one of my diamond pythons a few years back reached 12-13 feet. Not sure, since I didn't feel like getting him to stretch right out. (Crocodile Moso: "Call that a snake? THIS is a snake!")
There was that Scottish cougar crone, who sank her fangs into that nice German pilgrim...gave her a wide berth and made some serious km’s the next day!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.
Awwww, Olive.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.
Thanks, I will watch out!Thankfully, as time passes, you have less and less to worry about regarding snakes on the Camino Primitivo, Via de La Plata and the Meseta, because the dragons, giants and ogres are eating them all, if the are no pilgrims available.
Buen (avoiding being gobbled up) Camino
Sometimes in the spring people see them, but not often. I like snakes, so I am waiting...but alas...never yet.
Well,Snakes? Pah. Just watch out for the wolves
Well just a little sidetrack from this interesting snake thread: There are wolwes in Northern Spain.Snakes? Pah. Just watch out for the wolves
Don´t forget the occasional male pigs.........?I'm late to this thread but I've really enjoyed it. Maybe we should address the problems of walking the way with all those lions, tigers and bears.
WowWell,
Well just a little sidetrack from this interesting snake thread: There are wolwes in Northern Spain.
On my first Camino one very early morning on a sidetrack on the Meseta I saw a pack hunting something well after Calzadilla de los Hermanillos. I couldn't see what (maybe a pilgrim that had been keeping them awake by snoring during the night....). It was some kilometres away and the animals were gone when I arrived at the spot (yes, it could have been dogs. But very big dogs then and all of them big German Shepherds. The hunt was done in a very well coordinated way. Too coordinated for wild dogs, I think. And I don't think there are packs of big wild dogs in Northern Spain. Never heard of it at least).
Last year in Galicia (near Villafranca) I heard them howling during the day close to the path of the Camino but I never saw any......there was nothing to be mistaken of there. Have lived and worked in areas with wolves and know that sound well.
PS: I don't consider them a threat at all. And I don't mind walking the Camino at night or in the dark. Even with wolves around. They are clever animals and shy of humans. For good reasons.
There is this thread from last week:We could start a new thread here: Animal encounters on the Camino…..?
Where do you think it came from?I had a snake attach itself to a small half sleeping bag that was tied to the outside of my backpack. I felt something fall off my backpack, so I turned around and on the ground was the sleeping bag, I picked it up and the snake fell out and quickly slithered off into the bushes.
Great storyI cannot resist telling you a story, sorry as it is off topic!
One day I was chatting with my eldest son’s new girl-friend (German) and she was telling me they couldn’t possibly grow salads in her garden like I did. Ok. I asked why (as one does). ‘Because we have snakes’.
Me:Really? In Munich?
Oh yes, so many, they’re everywhere. Everybody’s got them. It’s terrible.
Me:
Anyway, to cut a long story short, I finally asked ‘but are they dangerous?’
And there was this dead, long silence......
and the answer came : I meant to say ... snails.....
Anyway, to cut a long story short, I finally asked ‘but are they dangerous?’
And there was this dead, long silence......
and the answer came : I meant to say ... snails.....
Wow! You are one of several who said a snake was inside !!! NOT comforting!I met this fellow in an albergue in Vega de Valcerce. I was the first person to check in and not having snakes in my home country of New Zealand, was quite fascinated to meet him. (Actually I'd rather meet him in my room than a mouse.) If anyone can identify what type of snake he is, I'd love to know.
I'm not sure, but it looks like an Asp Viper, Vipera Aspis. If it is, it's venomous. But not dangerous to humans if you leave it alone. Most snakes are shy of humans and will try to get away if spotted. So just leave them alone.I met this fellow in an albergue in Vega de Valcerce. I was the first person to check in and not having snakes in my home country of New Zealand, was quite fascinated to meet him. (Actually I'd rather meet him in my room than a mouse.) If anyone can identify what type of snake he is, I'd love to know.
Thank you, yes I know it is a very rare sight to see hunting wolves. For a nature loving man like me it is a treasured memory.@Torben Olesen, LUCKY YOU! Iberian wolves are gorgeous. They have been controversial for some time.
Hard to tell from the blurred photo. It might be a viper but the pattern on the back and head shape make it more likely to be a Viperine Snake (Natrix maura). A non-venomous snake which mimics the vipers as a defensive adaptation. I met one of those myself on the Via del la Plata. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natrix_mauraIf anyone can identify what type of snake he is, I'd love to know.
Don’t be surprised to find snakes indoor in i.e. the aubergues. I don’t say they are there (never heard of it apart from this thread, I must stress that!) – but it would only be natural, if they are.Wow! You are one of several who said a snake was inside !!! NOT comforting!
Yes, the rounded non-triangular shape of the head also confused me. I agree it looks like a harmless natrix from the shape of the head. And there is actually a lesson here: Unless you are a herpetologist or trained snake handler always assume a snake is venomous and just leave it alone. It won’t bite you and instead try to escape. Snakes rarely attack humans unless they are scarred or cornered.Hard to tell from the blurred photo. It might be a viper but the pattern on the back and head shape make it more likely to be a Viperine Snake (Natrix maura). A non-venomous snake which mimics the vipers as a defensive adaptation. I met one of those myself on the Via del la Plata. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natrix_maura
Or carelessly trod upon.Snakes rarely attack humans unless they are scarred or cornered.
There are no poisonous snakes indigenous to Europe - you can safely eat all of them unless they have already eaten something toxic - a newt for example.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!
Another thread: Animals we we meet and EAT on the Camino......There are no poisonous snakes indigenous to Europe - you can safely eat all of them unless they have already eaten something toxic - a newt for example.
I believe that is true. In the U.S. venomous snakes, spiders, etc are commonly referred to as poisonous though the correct term is venomous. There are many venomous species of snakes, spiders, and caterpillars in Europe.There are no poisonous snakes indigenous to Europe - you can safely eat all of them unless they have already eaten something toxic - a newt for example.
Where you an English major before you took up your culinary job:-?There are no poisonous snakes indigenous to Europe - you can safely eat all of them unless they have already eaten something toxic - a newt for example.
Where you an English major before you took up your culinary job:-?
According to the late great Terry Pratchett almost anything tastes like chicken if you are hungry enoughThe tip about snakes was from an RAF Squadron Leader friend who taught jungle survival - apparently snake tastes like chicken and goes well with tarragon . . .
Very rarely. And not the ones in Spain anyway.I am not sure if snakes eat humans.
No, always a Civil Engineer but with an eclectic collection of trivial knowledge picked up over the years.
The tip about snakes was from an RAF Squadron Leader friend who taught jungle survival - apparently snake tastes like chicken and goes well with tarragon . . .
I just wanted to say that if you do find a snake inside, make sure you or someone else keeps an eye on it from a safe distance.
If you take your eye off a snake, it will hide somewhere and then you'll have devil of a a job of trying to find it.
The snake, on realising you are there will most likely want to hide, and you, knowing the snake is there, will want it outside for sure.
In my volunteer wildlife rescue days, I was trained to remove and relocate non-venomous snakes from homes.
Relocation often meant releasing the snake into a protected area, within 50 metres of the catch site. Some snakes are territorial, like the non-venomous carpet snake that lives in our shed or in the pipe behind the shed. Been there for over three years now.
Venomous snake removal requires additional training and I left those well alone and called a trained person to help.
I learned that many of the reported 3000 annual snake bite victims in Australia are bitten because they were either trying to relocate or kill the snake themselves.
Don't take matters into your own hands. Snakes are fast, blindingly so, much faster than you, and faster than your eye can see. Best to leave them alone and get trained and qualified help.
In Australia, licenced snake catchers can relocate snakes from inside homes. Sure, you'll pay a few dollars, but that's a lot cheaper than possibly being bitten and paying doctors, ambulances, etc which will most certainly happen if you get bitten.
Sadly, about two people a year die here from snakebite. More die from bee and wasp stings.
The road toll is well over a 1000 people annually, to put risks into perspective.
Cars and inattentive / careless drivers and roads are by far, the biggest risks walking the Camino apart from walking or falling injuries.
Buen Camino!
I hope to walk part of the Kumano Kodo next week. On my visit in March last year I met a mamushi and some wild boar. This year I will be walking in warmer weather and the odds of my meeting more snakes, mukade and giant hornets are that much greater. Though you did miss one possible hazard off that list that has been passing through my mind from time to time. From a blog that I read: a warning poster from the beginning of one of the Kumano Kodo routes I plan to walk. I made sure to add my bell to my packing yesterdayI was planning on doing the Kumano Kodo in 2021 where I will hopefully not meet the venomous caterpillars, venomous snakes or angry wild boar.
Japanese pit viper. Very similar to the North American copperhead but responsible for around 2,000 bites and an average of 10 deaths per year in Japan. The usual result of a bite is a 7 day stay in hospital intensive care. That's why I didn't go in for a close-up.Ignorant me what pray is a mamushi. It sound like a cat?
In Whistler BC, at the local Squamish museum, one of the first peoples guides explained that the local bears if provoked attacked the head with a swipe that dislocated the skull from the spine. The warning on the poster above seems to indicate this is the common attack method of bears. If I was totally paranoid, I would not attempt the trail. If I was mildly paranoid I would need to wear knee high tactical boots and a full face riot control helmet. However I may leave the open toed sandals off my packing list.I hope to walk part of the Kumano Kodo next week. On my visit in March last year I met a mamushi and some wild boar. This year I will be walking in warmer weather and the odds of my meeting more snakes, mukade and giant hornets are that much greater. Though you did miss one possible hazard off that list that has been passing through my mind from time to time. From a blog that I read: a warning poster from the beginning of one of the Kumano Kodo routes I plan to walk. I made sure to add my bell to my packing yesterday
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So this greenhorn goes up to Canada for a forest adventure, walks into an outfitter store and practically buys out the shop.@Marcus-UK You reminded me of the old joke about a forest ranger giving advice to a novice hiker about fending off bear attacks. To throw human excrement at the bear. "But what if I can't find any?" "Listen friend - if you meet a bear on the trail that won't be a problem..."
Warn me if you ever come near Canterbury (UK) - I'll get my bug spray out!As a teenager on the Jungle Warfare Course in Brunei, I was bitten, stung and sucked upon by various plants, insects and things I have no name for. I ate various insects, rodents and reptiles and can assure that it tasted of nothing if you put enough hot sauce on it. I never saw a jungle again until I took my kids on a safari in Sri lanka in the mountain rain forests 30 years later. Whereupon .. I was bitten, stung and sucked upon by ...
I was planning on doing the Kumano Kodo in 2021 where I will hopefully not meet the venomous caterpillars, venomous snakes or angry wild boar.
PS Please find attached a picture of what I think is a non venomous rat snake that was disturbed by a bunch of Greek athletes in the grounds of the new summer palace in Beijing 2008. It was not in a good mood and the Greeks would have made Pheidippides envious of their sprinting skills.
View attachment 56918
I like those oddsNot sure how reliable David here is, but I like the odds of being bitten by a snakeAre There Snakes in Spain? | How to Traveller
There are no fewer than 13 different types of snakes native to Spain. Of the thirteen varieties of snake, five of them are venomous and could even be potentially deadly.howtotraveller.com
the odds of being bitten by a snake in Spain are about 15 million to one.
Torben, That is wisdom.Very good advice. I hadn't thought of that.
And I agree one shouldn't kill them.
Snakes are an important part of nature both in the food chain as "pest controllers" (they eat the rodents that would otherwise eat the farmers' crops). They are prey themselves for other predators. And they spread seeds from plants whem they move around and thus contribute to the biodiversity.
Just leave them alone if you don't like them. I like them - but always watch them from a safe distance.
Well, I rather see it as "facts and information" I try to spread when I sense people are unnecessarily afraid or uninformed about snakes.Torben, That is wisdom.
A friend of mine was bitten by a viper 35 years ago when he was climbing alone in La Pedriza. He had to walk down for 2 hours to Manzanares el Real. ( Camino Madrid ) ,because he didn' t have mobile phone , where he was evacuated by helycopter to a hospital in Madrid were he received the antidote. At this time he had his hand and part of his arm very swollen but he didn' t lose anything , the only effect was a permanent very crooked finger.Not sure how reliable David here is, but I like the odds of being bitten by a snakeAre There Snakes in Spain? | How to Traveller
There are no fewer than 13 different types of snakes native to Spain. Of the thirteen varieties of snake, five of them are venomous and could even be potentially deadly.howtotraveller.com
the odds of being bitten by a snake in Spain are about 15 million to one.
I realize snakes have a significant place in our environmentWell, I rather see it as "facts and information" I try to spread when I sense people are unnecessarily afraid or uninformed about snakes.
I could add this to my previous comment: Snakes also carry pollen with them when they move around and thus spread it from plant to plant. Very useful for all of Nature, including us humans. The venom from different species is useful as ingredients in medicine for i.e. paralysis, hemophilia, cerebral palsy etc. etc. Again very useful to us humans.
Mostly, they leave you alone except for baby copperheads that will strike at anything
Venomous baby snakes often have a more potent venom than adult snakes of the same specimen since the venom is more concentrated in the small ones. I don't know the reason for this, Or if it is the case for copperheads. But..."better safe than sorry" so keep clear of them....I realize snakes have a significant place in our environment
I just don't like being near them or touching them. I would never kill a snake unless my life was in danger. I don't want to get that close I started this post to get information about an environment I don't know. Where I live there are several venomous snakes but I how to watch, and what to watch. I have a long history of dangerous and funny snake encounters None of them were happy ( haha)
I was surprised to learn of snakes in the Albergues, but it makes sense The only time I hear of snakes coming indoors here is during flooding or when someone built a new house and cleared lots of trees and natural habitat. However, they are prevalent on the trails especially now as the weather is getting hot Most of the trails I walk have lots of water sources, heavy brush and lots of small animals, especially birds Therefore, it is a snake paradise Mostly, they leave you alone except for baby copperheads that will strike at anything
You have been very informative, kind and helpful
Thanks for all you do! I appreciate it.
True! Children die of Copperhead bites more than adults for that reasonSounds like you have plenty of experience. I am sure you wouldn't be silly enough to copy this man then. A pretty good lesson in leaving snakes well alone!
https://www.facebook.com/thatsnakeguy/posts/507322726385133
That is very LONG!The longest chain of processional caterpillars we came across...
There are days I regret putting up the question but it has been interesting and fun.Everyone is really having fun at your expense here and I have to admit I laughed when I first read it. But I feel you. I saw one tiny little one that looked like a worm. Thankfully, the couple in front of me was pushing it off the trail back into the bushes or I probably would have run back to the states (talk about walking on water). I started to freak out thinking where is mommy and daddy. I am deathly afraid of them so tried to make as much noise as I could to while walking to small bushy trails.
Interesting picturesWe found this viper on the downhill to Ponte Ulla. Only snake we saw in 7 weeks.
We also saw this gorgeous jewelled lacerta that day as well.
We saw lots of signs of wildlife such as deer prints and slides, pig wallows and wolf prints. See the photo. I wear a EU 46 boot. Barrie very briefly saw a couple of roe deer but we otherwise never saw wild mammals.
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Yes, being paranoid would ruin your walk!!I've just walked a long section of the Kumano Kodo. Just as well I am not paranoid about wildlife
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Thank youI 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.
Portugal é um território mediterrâneo, tem fauna característica. Dificilmente e encontra, elas fogem ao ouvir barulho, gostam de sol, e as mais vulgares não são venenosas. Não tem que preocupar. Nenhuma é mortal,mas em caso de acidente ligue 118. Não conheço nenhum caso.Are they seen often? In any particular area?
Any dangerous?
Portugal é um território mediterrâneo, tem fauna característica. Dificilmente e encontra, elas fogem ao ouvir barulho, gostam de sol, e as mais vulgares não são venenosas. Não tem que preocupar. Nenhuma é mortal,mas em caso de acidente ligue 118. Não conheço nenhum caso.
Thank you! Obrigado!Portugal é um território mediterrâneo, tem fauna característica. Dificilmente e encontra, elas fogem ao ouvir barulho, gostam de sol, e as mais vulgares não são venenosas. Não tem que preocupar. Nenhuma é mortal,mas em caso de acidente ligue 118. Não conheço nenhum caso.
Thank you! Obrigado!Portugal é um território mediterrâneo, tem fauna característica. Dificilmente e encontra, elas fogem ao ouvir barulho, gostam de sol, e as mais vulgares não são venenosas. Não tem que preocupar. Nenhuma é mortal,mas em caso de acidente ligue 118. Não conheço nenhum caso.
True! Understand about mice and rats. I am working on it. I have educated myself on the snakes where I live and am very aware when outdoors. If I see them first, I am scared but ok. It is the ones I don't see or that are easy to step on that concern me. There is the fearNana6, I have to say seeing my snake was actually a highlight for me, but then I'll probably never see another snake in my life. On the other hand, if I had come across a mouse or rat, dead or alive, my reaction would have been utterly (and irrationally, I know, I know) terrified. I guess it's what we've learned to fear.
Living in Tasmania & being 'out-doorsy', snake encounters are inevitable. I used to try & offset these encounters by, as you say, making as much noise as possible. I actually used to sing..loudly & badly...it made me feel better anyway.Everyone is really having fun at your expense here and I have to admit I laughed when I first read it. But I feel you. I saw one tiny little one that looked like a worm. Thankfully, the couple in front of me was pushing it off the trail back into the bushes or I probably would have run back to the states (talk about walking on water). I started to freak out thinking where is mommy and daddy. I am deathly afraid of them so tried to make as much noise as I could to while walking to small bushy trails.
I saw a snake on the Norte. It was tiny - looked like a large worm.
What about those large, very long & nasty looking centipedes in Japan...the bright orange & black ones...they could/should do a poster for them. Also, I never got used to seeing crabs in the forest...always gave me a start...crabs belong on the beach!I've just walked a long section of the Kumano Kodo. Just as well I am not paranoid about wildlife
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Mukade? Saw my first one last week on the Kumano Kodo. Dead though. A crab as well - 30+km inland and a few hundred metres above sea level. Did give me a surprise though I knew in theory that they were aroundWhat about those large, very long & nasty looking centipedes in Japan...the bright orange & black ones...they could/should do a poster for them. Also, I never got used to seeing crabs in the forest...always gave me a start...crabs belong on the beach!
Will try it!Living in Tasmania & being 'out-doorsy', snake encounters are inevitable. I used to try & offset these encounters by, as you say, making as much noise as possible. I actually used to sing..loudly & badly...it made me feel better anyway.
You'll note, I'm talking past tense here...why? Because to my horror, I was eventually told by Tassie Parks & Wildlife that snakes are deaf...they have no ears.All those years of singing, pointlessly torturing all the other wildlife in the vicinity except the very creature it was aimed at!
Snakes respond to vibrations through the ground, not sounds. So now, I thump my feet instead & bash my hiking pole on the ground for good measure. Once again, it makes me feel better at least...
I cant say Buen Camino ; how about Happy Kumano Kodo!Mukade? Saw my first one last week on the Kumano Kodo. Dead though. A crab as well - 30+km inland and a few hundred metres above sea level. Did give me a surprise though I knew in theory that they were aroundThere are actually crab warning signs on some roads!
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Almost trod on a rat snake too but it wasn't hanging around to have its photo taken...
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PS. Today's wildlife highlight from southern Kyushu - a pair of lizards so busy making more lizards that they couldn't or wouldn't stop to get off the footpath - even with a mobile phone pointed at them from inches away
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Hey, I never thought of that.Living in Tasmania & being 'out-doorsy', snake encounters are inevitable. I used to try & offset these encounters by, as you say, making as much noise as possible. I actually used to sing..loudly & badly...it made me feel better anyway.
You'll note, I'm talking past tense here...why? Because to my horror, I was eventually told by Tassie Parks & Wildlife that snakes are deaf...they have no ears.All those years of singing, pointlessly torturing all the other wildlife in the vicinity except the very creature it was aimed at!
Snakes respond to vibrations through the ground, not sounds. So now, I thump my feet instead & bash my hiking pole on the ground for good measure. Once again, it makes me feel better at least...
Yeah! Right, I also saw snakes over there.Thankfully, as time passes, you have less and less to worry about regarding snakes on the Camino Primitivo, Via de La Plata and the Meseta, because the dragons, giants and ogres are eating them all, if the are no pilgrims available.
Buen (avoiding being gobbled up) Camino
Are they seen often? In any particular area?
Any dangerous?
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