The majority of snakes in France are not venomous, and others are almost harmless. However, it is always advised to remain cautious, as even if they are not venomous, some can still bite. Treatment is always necessary following a snake bite.
In France, there are 12 snake species, of which 4 are very dangerous. For the species that pose no danger to humans in case of a bite, here are a few:
- The ladder snake: it has a slender body and measures between 120 and 160 cm. It generally lives in rocky areas with fairly dense vegetation. This snake has no venom but can still bite. They can be found in the following regions: PACA, Languedoc-Roussillon, and Rhône-Alpes.
- The smooth snake: is a species that measures a maximum of 70 cm. It is the smallest snake in Metropolitan France. It especially appreciates dense vegetation. Faced with its enemies, it adopts three attitudes: fleeing, secreting a strong-smelling liquid, and simulating death. It is present throughout the territory except in Corsica. The smooth snake is very agile and distinguishes itself by its speed.
- The green and yellow snake: this species measures between 100 and 200 cm for the largest specimens. It is a species that can adapt to several environments: tall and dense grass, in water, in stones... This snake is present in many regions of France, namely Burgundy, Auvergne, Aquitaine, Corsica, Poitou-Charentes, and 11 other regions.
- The viperine snake: this snake can reach 90 cm in adulthood. However, this maximum size is only observed in females. It is a harmless snake but knows how to scare its aggressors. It is called thus because it has a strong resemblance to the viper in color and size. This snake is found along riverbanks or in lakes and rivers. It is a species that is heavily protected in France. It is frequently found in 12 regions, including Pays de Loire, Midi-Pyrénées, and Burgundy. It is rare in Île-de-France and Brittany.
Besides these 4 species, there are still 8 others in this category, including the ringed snake, the Girondine smooth snake, the Montpellier snake, and the Aesculapian snake. Regarding the species posing a real danger to humans, there are 4 recorded in France:
- The Seoane’s viper: it is a venomous snake. However, when it bites its prey, it doesn’t inject venom immediately, which is quite rare. It appreciates warmth and humidity as well as places where there is a high presence of rodents. It is mainly located in the southwest part of France, notably in areas with sparse forests.
- The Orsinii’s viper: it is a small snake with a stout body. It is venomous and injects its venom into the tissues of its prey. However, it should be noted that it is the least venomous snake in all of Europe. This snake is present in high, rocky places with marshes. It also takes refuge in the mountains.
- The common European adder: it is a small species in size but can weigh up to 1kg. It is one of the most venomous snakes in France, having long fangs measuring 5mm. This species is heavily present in rocky and wooded places, or areas with abundant vegetation.
- The asp viper: from 70 to 100 cm long, this venomous viper is found in rocky places, meadows, between stones, and in dry areas. It is one of the species with powerful venom, therefore posing a real danger to humans. However, it sometimes opts not to inject venom in some of its bites. It can be found in 18 regions of France, except in Picardy, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Alsace, Haute-Normandie, and Corsica.
In case of a snake bite, the best course of action is to go directly to a hospital for treatment. However, until then, here are some precautions to take:
- Wash the bite with clean water and mild soap or use an antiseptic.
- Encourage the victim to stay calm.
- If the pain is unbearable, taking paracetamol can be considered. Avoid aspirin.
- Use a Velpeau bandage to cover the bite without tightening.
- Remove any jewelry that might constrict the bitten limb.
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