Natrix

[Stefan-A]

How common are the species Natrix tessellata (dice snake) and N. maura (viperine snake) on the European market? Are they for example often present at shows like the one in Hamm? Does anybody breed them? Does anybody here have any experience with them?

Just so you know, I'm not an impulsive (or compulsive) buyer. I just like exploring alternatives.

[zooplan]

These are not so often presented on shows but you should find breeders of both species easily.
Check this classified section:
Schlangengrube.de :: Annoncen -

[Snaky]

I've seen Natrix maura some times on shows, but haven't seen Natrix tessellata. As Udo says, there are quite some breeders and you can usually meet at shows with them.

[reptileparadise]

Have never seen Natrix tessellata on shows, but N. maura are quite easy to find. I bred them myself. But I sold my adults...

[Stefan-A]

..so apparently I'll be getting a pair of N. maura in a few months. Unless something happens.

[reptileparadise]

We expect pictures in a couple of months then!

Maura are fun little snakes. Always hissing...but they never seem to bite...

[Stefan-A]

So I've read. And that they'll do mock strikes. But I don't know whether they'll play dead, like Natrix natrix.

Never heard a garter hiss, but our local grass snakes do it all the time. Pretty random comment, I know.

[adamanteus]

At one time you could always find tessellata in the UK pet trade, but I haven't seen them for years now. I kept Natrix maura in the past, a friend of mine caught while on holiday and brought it home for me. It was a lovely snake.

[reptileparadise]

Originally Posted by Stefan-A

So I've read. And that they'll do mock strikes. But I don't know whether they'll play dead, like Natrix natrix.

Never heard a garter hiss, but our local grass snakes do it all the time. Pretty random comment, I know.

I've never seen mine play dead...
I've seen it once in a young parietalis...Scared the crap out of me!

[larean]

I have one (young) right now. He hasn't played dead(yet) but he is very good at musking and hissing/puffing up. Which is probably why he is called the viperine snake.
I personally think they are beautiful, maybe even more than garters. Weird thing to say, but he looks much more 'at home' in his surroundings, unlike my parietalises.
Very subtle markings as well.

It eats like a pig, and just about everything too: cat food, fish, worms, pinkies etc.

According to the breeder I got it from, maura is a very good fish hunter, which is why he recommends keeping them in an aquaterrarium.

This is his site:

Natrix maura - algemene informatie

It is in Dutch, but you will find some nice pictures of snakes/terraria.

Mine is the baby of the reddish/brown female of which you will find a picture on the site(huisvesting)