David Element
Wildlife
Photography and Digital Video Images
_________________________________________________________
Reptiles 16 - Aesculapian Snakes
AESCULAPIAN SNAKE Zamenis
longissimus
AESCULAPIAN SNAKE Zamenis
longissimus
- These snapshots of a retreating
and very mobile Aesculapian Snake (Il Colubro
d'Escalupio) were 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 Italian Aesculapian Snake Z. lineatus, characterised by coppery red irises as
opposed to the yellowish-grey irises of the example shown here.
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. lineatus
respectively.
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