Aesculapian snake
| Aesculapian snake | |
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| Adult Z. longissimus from the region of Ticino, Switzerland. | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Subfamily: | Colubrinae |
| Genus: | Zamenis |
| Species: | Z. longissimus |
| Binomial name | |
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Zamenis longissimus (Laurenti, 1768) |
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| Synonyms | |
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The Aesculapian snake (now Zamenis longissimus, previously Elaphe longissima), is a species of nonvenomous snake native to Europe, a member of the Colubrinae subfamily of the family Colubridae. Growing up to 2 metres (6.6 ft) in total length (including tail), it counts among the largest European snakes, though not as massive as the four-lined snake (Elaphe quatuorlineata) or the Montpellier snake (Malpolon monspessulanus). The Aesculapian snake has been of cultural and historical significance for its role in ancient Greek and Roman mythology and derived symbolism.
The snakes hatch at around 30 cm (11.8 in). Adults are usually from 110 cm (43.3 in) to 160 cm (63 in) in total length (including tail), but can grow to 200 cm (79 in), with the record size being (225 cm (89 in)). They are dark, long, slender, and typically bronzy in color, with smooth scales that give them a metallic sheen.
Juveniles can easily be confused with juvenile grass snakes (Natrix natrix), also having a yellow collar on their neck that may persist for some time in younger adults. They are light green or brownish-green with various darker patterns along the flanks and on their back. Two darker patches appear in the form of lines running on the top of the flanks. The head in juveniles also features several distinctive dark spots, one hoof-like on the back of the head in-between the yellow neck stripes, and two paired ones, with one horizontal stripe running from the eye and connecting to the neck marks, and one short vertical stripe connecting the eye with the 4th to 5th upper labial scales.
Adults are much more uniform, sometimes being olive-yellow, brownish-green, sometimes almost black. Often in adults, there may be a more or less regular pattern of white-edged dorsal scales appearing as white freckles all over the body up to moiré-like structures in places, enhancing the shiny metallic appearance. Sometimes, especially when pale in color, two darker longitudinal lines along the flanks can be visible. The belly is plain yellow to off-white, while the round iris has amber to ochre coloration. Melanistic, erythristic, and albinotic natural forms are known, as is a dark grey form.
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Wikipedia