WILD SNAKES IN NORWAY
GRASS SNAKE
Natrix natrix
Buorm (Norwegian)
Ringelnatter (German)
Culebra de collar (Spanish)
NORTHEN VIPER
Vipera berus
Buorm (Norwegian)
Kreuznatter (German)
Vibora (Spanish)
SMOOTH SNAKE
Coronella austriaca
Buorm (Norwegian)
Schlingnatter (German)
Culebra lisa (Spanish)
There are only three wild snake species in Norway: Grass snake, smooth snake and the Northern viper. The grass snake and the smooth snake belongs to the Colubridae family. Whilst the Northern viper belongs to the Videridae family, which are all venomous snakes. The grass snake and the smooth snake are both fond of warmth, and are therefore only to be found in the South of Norway and along the coast in the West.
The Norther viper is the most hardy snake in Norway, and can survive in colder climates. It can be found at 1000 meters above sealevel, and up to the boarder of Nordland County.
Based on their hunting tactic we can distinguish the three species. The grass snake is a water snake, the smoot snake is a constrictor, and the Northern viper is a venomous snake.
The grass snake lays eggs, while the smooth snake and the Northern viper, both give birth to live young (Ovoviviparity). They incubate their eggs inside their body until they hatch. While in the egg, the unborn snakelet survives fully detached from the mother.