Natrix natrix
Grass Snake / Snok / Grass Snake
Natrix natrix
Illustration: Natrix natrix
Information about this species.
This species is an important part of the ecosystems in Västerbotten.
Facts & Characteristics
- Scientific Name: Natrix natrix
- Category / Order: Amphibien & Reptilien
- Nature, Taiga & Waters of Västerbotten: Nature, Taiga & Waters of Västerbotten
- Native to Northern Sweden: Native to Northern Sweden
Questions & Answers (FAQ)
Why is the grass snake largely restricted to the hemiboreal and south-boreal belts in Scandinavia?
As an oviparous (egg-laying) species, Natrix natrix requires warm incubation environments. In the northern boreal and subalpine zones, summers are too short and cool to ensure successful embryonic development, unless artificial breeding habitats like compost heaps exist.
How does the grass snake utilize the complex water systems of Fennoscandia?
It is a highly specialized predator in aapa mires, lake shores, and archipelago coasts. As an excellent swimmer, it primarily hunts amphibians, such as the moor frog (Rana arvalis), and small fish, utilizing structurally rich littoral zones and dense reed beds for cover.