David Element

Wildlife Photography

and Digital Video Images

_ Amphibians and Reptiles 29 - Aesculapian Snakes 1

                                    AESCULAPIAN SNAKE Zamenis longissimus

• This snapshot of a retreating Aesculapian Snake (Il Colubro d'Escalupio) was taken in Tuscany (Toscana), Italy.  This is the largest European snake, reaching over 6 feet (1.2m) in length and it is non-poisonous. The small size of the head, long slender body and rather nondescript markings are characteristic and this species is welcomed by farmers as an accomplished rat-catcher, hence the alternative name of 'Ratsnake'. The comparative size of the Oak leaves suggests that this snake was not yet fully grown. There are two closely related species in Italy, Z. longissimus and the endemic Z. lineata. These snakes were originally believed to be subspecies of Elaphe longissima (E. longissima longissima and E. longissima lineata but recent genetic studies have clarified the lineage of European Aesculapian Snakes and they have now been reclassified as Zamenis longissimus and Z. lineata respectively.

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© David Element.