European cat snake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids European cat snake |
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| Telescopus fallax from Malta | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Telescopus
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| Species: |
fallax
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| Synonyms | |
The European cat snake (scientific name: 'Telescopus fallax') is a fascinating snake. It's also known as the Mediterranean cat snake. This snake is a type of colubrid snake, which is a large family of snakes. You can find it only in the Mediterranean and Caucasus areas.
Contents
Where It Lives
The European cat snake lives in many countries around the Mediterranean Sea and in the Caucasus region.
You can find it in:
- Italy
- Greece (including islands like Crete, Corfu, and Samos)
- Albania
- Coastal Slovenia
- Croatia (including some Adriatic islands)
- Herzegovina
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Southern Bulgaria
- Turkey
- Malta
- Cyprus
- Iran
- Iraq
- Lebanon
- Syria
- Israel
- Southern Russia (in the Caucasus region)
- Armenia
- Georgia
- Azerbaijan
Habitat and Size
These snakes like to live in open areas and places with lots of bushes. You might find them near beaches or in open woodlands. They can grow to be up to 100 centimeters long, which is about 39 inches!
About the Cat Snake
The European cat snake is a venomous snake. However, it's not considered dangerous to humans. This is because its fangs are located at the back of its upper jaw, not at the front like some other venomous snakes.
When it bites defensively, it rarely injects its venom. So, you don't need to worry if you ever see one.
What It Eats
This snake mainly eats small reptiles. Its favorite foods are geckos and lizards. It uses its venom to help catch and overpower these small prey animals.
Different Types of Cat Snakes
There are several different types, or subspecies, of the European cat snake. Each subspecies might be found in slightly different parts of the snake's overall range. Scientists have identified five main subspecies.
See also
In Spanish: Serpiente gato para niños
