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10.10.2008, 16:17
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: May 2008 Location: Around Lake Zurich
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| | Re: Snake in the grass?
Just noted hybernation phase is October-April so after another week or two should be fine!
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10.10.2008, 16:39
| Newbie 1st class | | Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Zurich
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| | Re: Snake in the grass?
Although I hate snakes - (don't mind spiders or other bugs, crawlie things - maybe it's the lack of legs?) I still read this thread through. I couldn't pull myself away and all the way I had/have goose bumps and feel like I want to find a puppy to snuggle until the bad snakes have left my brain ...
(by the way - v. interesting and informative info - I learned much...thank you - I think?...)
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10.10.2008, 17:18
|  | Forum Veteran | | Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: ZH
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| | Re: Snake in the grass? | Quote: | |  | | | Could it have been a slow worm : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anguis_fragilis
I came across one of these chaps/chapesses outside my place (Kloten area). They're harmless but I honestly thought it was a snake - big b*gger - I guess you didn't hang around long enough to get a close look  | | | | | ARGHHHH! i live in the kloten area...pls tell me you saw that only once, yorkie! ps. if that thing is a "worm", imanotter...heh | 
10.10.2008, 21:22
| Senior Member | | Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Zurich
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| | Re: Snake in the grass? | Quote: | |  | | | Some strange things are happening to our eco-system these days. | | | | | But salmon and even sturgeon were common in Rhine and many rivers of Europe before we started destroying their habitat.
The wels catfish is also indigenous to some lakes and rivers in northern Switzerland. This is a relict from times when these bodies of water had a connection to the river Danube.
Many reptiles like snakes and turtles were much more common in Switzerland in previous times than they are today. Unfortunately we got rid of many of the swamps and the stonewalls they need.
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10.10.2008, 21:45
| Senior Member | | Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Zurich
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| | Re: Snake in the grass?
I've seen a grass snake swimming in lake Zurich quite a long time ago.
Really stupid people chased it when it reached shore.
Luckily it found some hole in a wall and escaped.
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10.10.2008, 22:34
| Member | | Join Date: May 2007 Location: Dubendorf
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| | Re: Snake in the grass? | Quote: | |  | | | I don't think Zurich has water snakes, as you might think of sea snakes. But all snakes and in particular grass snakes (matching your description) love a swim. Also, the lake will be a great source of food for the grass snake, as frogs will be a-plenty. You might see some snakes, it is however nearing hibernation time. | | | | | Do you think that there will be snakes who live underneath water in Lake of Leman? I am sooo afraid    | 
10.10.2008, 22:50
| Junior Member | | Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Zurich
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| | Re: Snake in the grass?
First of all no, it could not have been an eel. Eels do not crawl onto land unless forced to do so to move from one lake to another. Somehow I doubt this is what you saw given your location. This is very rarely seen.
Secondly, there are no such thing as fresh water snakes, and most certainly no such snakes in Switzerland. However, most land-based snakes do like water and are all good swimmers.
I spend a lot of time out in nature in CH and I can assure all there is nothing to be afraid of. However, rather leave stuff alone not so much for your safety but for their precious preservation. | 
11.10.2008, 00:43
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| | Re: Snake in the grass? | This user would like to thank Deep Purple for this useful post: | | 
01.09.2011, 23:20
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| | Re: Snake in the grass?
I saw a my first wild snake swimming today at the botanical gardens in Zurich.. he saw me and did a 180 and swam to hide in some vegetation, later he got courage to swim out again and swam between the lillypads gracefully whilst little green frogs on his path kicked away to avoid him. Was the highlight of my visit. I've no idea if he was a grass snake but a snake for sure. So if you visit the little pond there you might be graced with the opportunity to get a glimpse of this delightful fella in his natural habit (albeit a botanical garden!).
Was wandering do vipers live in this part of Switzerland or do they prefer the alps or southern parts of the country like Ticino?
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01.09.2011, 23:28
| | Re: Snake in the grass?
All is revealed here.
(article in German: basically, there's a big snake living in Lake Zurich, but it's very friendly and you can watch a video of it)
| This user would like to thank for this useful post: | | 
02.09.2011, 07:52
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| | Re: Snake in the grass? | Quote: | |  | | |
So in actual fact I nearly tripped over a snake  | | | | | Everytime I go jogging, I run the risk of tripping over a snake.....'til those tight running shorts from Asics solved the problem Now now, ladies, no pushing....form an orderly queue | This user would like to thank Caviarchips for this useful post: | | 
02.09.2011, 09:50
|  | Junior Member | | Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wolfhausen
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| | Re: Snake in the grass? | Quote: |  | | | All is revealed here.
(article in German: basically, there's a big snake living in Lake Zurich, but it's very friendly and you can watch a video of it) | | | | | Dangit... I moved back to Switzerland from the states, because of the snakes... (well... partially) now I find out that they were illegally dumped at the Seedam??? 
I just can't get used to them, and I am not one of the easily freaked out people | 
02.09.2011, 09:59
|  | Junior Member | | Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Basel area
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| | Re: Snake in the grass?
UUGGHH! I moved here from Colorado (last year Denver/Aurora had to close down several dog parks due to high rattle snake population and bites). A little boy got bit by one at the Botanical Gardens, he was just walking along and didn't even see it, so no he wasn't taunting it.
So after moving here I've been running quite a bit. I guess with my head in the clouds thinking, yeah, no snakes here! Wrong! I don't like anything that slithers. Rodents, lizards no problem but snakes - keep them away from me!
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02.09.2011, 11:12
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Züri
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| | Re: Snake in the grass?
There is a sign along the wooden footbridge near Rapperswil showing what wildlife enjoys the habitat of the shallow waters and snakes are shown to be there. It's an interesting place: people lived on stilted huts and fished that area thousands of years ago.
I was bitten on my ankle by a viper last week but that was on the 33 bus. Hot evening, packed bus, loads of shopping bags, FANGS. I went straight to a pharmacy and there was an electronic advertising screen by the till warning people to seek immediate medical attention if such a thing happens, so it must be on the increase. Thanks to the lovely ladies they fixed me up in no time.
It hurt like hell for three days but the codeine tablets helped. Coming down is not worth the going up, though. Prescription drugs suck. It could have been a horsefly, but I think it was a viper. | 
02.09.2011, 11:15
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: London, previously Basel
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| | Re: Snake in the grass? | Quote: | |  | | | There is a sign along the wooden footbridge near Rapperswil showing what wildlife enjoys the habitat of the shallow waters and snakes are shown to be there. It's an interesting place: people lived on stilted huts and fished that area thousands of years ago.
I was bitten on my ankle by a viper last week but that was on the 33 bus. Hot evening, packed bus, loads of shopping bags, FANGS. I went straight to a pharmacy and there was an electronic advertising screen by the till warning people to seek immediate medical attention if such a thing happens, so it must be on the increase. Thanks to the lovely ladies they fixed me up in no time.
It hurt like hell for three days but the codeine tablets helped. Coming down is not worth the going up, though. Prescription drugs suck. It could have been a horsefly, but I think it was a viper. | | | | |  
Am I missing the joke or did you seriously get bitten on a bus by a snake?
| This user would like to thank mimi1981 for this useful post: | | 
02.09.2011, 11:16
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| | Re: Snake in the grass? | 
02.09.2011, 11:19
|  | Forum Veteran | | Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Washington, DC
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| | Re: Snake in the grass?
why are snakes so scary? Unless you're coming across one of these buggers all coiled up I really don't see what the big deal is.
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02.09.2011, 11:26
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| | Re: Snake in the grass? | Quote: | |  | | |   
Am I missing the joke or did you seriously get bitten on a bus by a snake? | | | | | No....... Uncle Max went to the Apotheke for some headache tablets.
He was given some Codiene and began halucinating.
Last week he thought he was a WW2 fighter pilot who shot down the Red barron.
Codiene is awesome stuff.
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02.09.2011, 11:31
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Top of a Triangle
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| | Re: Snake in the grass?
Back on topic.
I remember asking some Swiss colleagues about snakes here.
"Are any snakes poisonous here?"
"Oh yes, we have Viper, and if it bites you, you will get really sick !!!"
"..... Really sick........ is that all? ....Bbbwahh Ha Ha Ha Ha !!!..... a bad Hangover will make you really sick"
Moral of the Story:
Drink heavily the night before hiking in the mountains in case you get bitten by a snake.
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02.09.2011, 11:39
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| | Re: Snake in the grass? | Quote: | |  | | | Back on topic.
I remember asking some Swiss colleagues about snakes here.
"Are any snakes poisonous here?"
"Oh yes, we have Viper, and if it bites you, you will get really sick !!!"
"..... Really sick........ is that all? ....Bbbwahh Ha Ha Ha Ha !!!..... a bad Hangover will make you really sick"
Moral of the Story:
Drink heavily the night before hiking in the mountains in case you get bitten by a snake. | | | | | Best to take 2x60g codeine tablets before heavy drinking to kill two birds with one stone, so to say.
| This user would like to thank Uncle Max for this useful post: | |
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