I Didn’t Know it was Poisonous!

I would probably not have followed it into the forest! This is a female Vipera aspis atra which is a venomous subspecies endemic to Switzerland and is a vulnerable species, apparently more venomous than an adder. 4% of of people who are bitten die! 

What a fabulous walk we had, Lac Taney is still half frozen (see Cheryl and Jeremy in extra). Very few people were there, so unusual in this honeypot area.  On the way up the hillside behind the lake we almost trod on this rare snake! Then, much higher up, we saw a herd of 14 male bouquetin sunning themselves between snow patches. The Twin Peaks (Jumelles) behind them made a great backdrop (second extra).

Have a good weekend everyone and stay safe of course.