European Ratsnake

Classification and Distribution

The European ratsnake or leopard snake (Zamenis situla) is a species of nonvenomous colubrid snake endemic to Europe, Asia Minor, and the Caucasus.

### Geographic Range

Z. situla is found in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Italy, North Macedonia, Malta, Montenegro, Turkey, Ukraine, and possibly Cyprus.

Description

The leopard snake has a gray or tan color with a dorsal series of reddish or brown transverse blotches, which have black borders. On each side is a series of smaller black spots, alternating with the dorsal blotches. There are distinctive markings on the head, including a Y-shaped dark marking on the occiput and nape, a crescent-shaped black band from eye to eye across the prefrontals, and a black band from the postoculars diagonally to the corner of the mouth. The belly is white, checkered with black, or almost entirely black.

### Scales and Size

The dorsal scales are in 25 or 27 rows, and are smooth. Adults may attain a total length of up to 180 cm (70 in), with a tail of approximately 30-40 cm (12-16 in) in length.

Habitat

Natural habitats of the European ratsnake include various environments such as forests, grasslands, and rocky areas.

### Physical Characteristics

The body of the European ratsnake has rounded scales in an uneven flat structure. The back pigment is grayish or yellowish brown tones, with round spots or longitudinal stripes. In linear appearance, lines are usually reddish-brown tone. On the sides of the head, there is a dark-colored strip and small stains on the body sides.

### Abdominal Coloration

There is a white line between stripes in two brown or dark tones in individuals with back stripes. The six zones of the abdomen are yellowish in white color, with scattered brunette stains in the front of the body, and yellowish on the back half which is white or has white stains.

### Distinctive Markings

A characteristic feature of the European ratsnake is a black band in the form of a crescent between two eyes.