Natrix

Natrix is a genus of Old World snakes in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. Member species of the genus Natrix are collectively called grass snakes and water snakes. However, some other snake species also known commonly as 'grass snakes' and 'water snakes' are not in the genus Natrix. The genus Natrix contains the following species, five of which are recognized as being valid, and one of which is disputed. Nota bene: A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Natrix. Natrix is classical Latin for a water snake. The word comes from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'snake', with cognates in the Celtic and Germanic languages, the latter including the English adder. It was probably influenced through folk etymology by the Latin nare and natare meaning 'swim'; it appears to be a grammatically feminine word for 'swimmer'.