Aesculapian snake

Zamenis longissimus
Colubrids (Colubridae )

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Grey-olive brown, slender snake, rather uniform in colour with some vague lines and markings. Often there is a dark mark on the side of the head and a yellow upper lip. They have brown or grey eyes with round pupils. The scales are not keeled. Young have clear black markings on their back.

They are excellent climbers and often retreat in trees when disturbed or to rest. They catch small mammals and birds by choking them, not very shy.

⇔ l. 100-200 cm

syn. NATRIX LONGISSIMA, ELAPHE LONGISSIMA

It lives in southern Europe.

The snake is associated with the god of healing (Asclepius or Aesculapius) and depicted around the god's staff. This symbol is still used in medicine today.

LA:
≈ The ZAMENIS LINEATUS (Italian aesculapian snake) lives in southern Italy only and stays a little smaller. No picture available.
≈ The NATRIX  NATRIX (Grass snake), NATRIX TESSELLATA (Dice snake) and NATRIX MAURA (Viperine water snake) all have keeled scales.

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