European ratsnake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids European ratsnake |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Zamenis
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| Species: |
situla
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The European ratsnake is also known as the leopard snake. Its scientific name is Zamenis situla. This snake is a type of nonvenomous (not poisonous) snake found only in certain parts of Europe, Asia Minor (which is part of Turkey), and the Caucasus region. It belongs to a group of snakes called colubrids.
Contents
Where Do European Ratsnakes Live?
The European ratsnake, or Zamenis situla, lives in several countries. You can find them in places like Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, and Croatia. They also live in Greece, Italy, North Macedonia, Malta, and Montenegro. Their range extends to Turkey and Ukraine, and they might even be found in Cyprus.
What Do European Ratsnakes Look Like?
The leopard snake has a body that is usually gray or tan. It has a cool pattern of reddish or brown blotches (spots) on its back. These blotches have black borders, making them stand out.
Unique Markings
On each side of the snake, there are smaller black spots. These spots are placed between the larger blotches on its back. The snake also has a special Y-shaped dark mark on its head and neck. There's a black band that looks like a crescent moon, going from one eye to the other across the front of its head. Another black band runs from behind its eyes down to the corner of its mouth.
Size and Belly
The belly of the leopard snake can be white with black squares, or it can be almost completely black. Their scales on the back are smooth and usually arranged in 25 or 27 rows. Adult snakes can grow to be about 90 centimeters (about 3 feet) long. Their tail makes up about 16 centimeters (about 6 inches) of that length.
Where Do European Ratsnakes Make Their Home?
European ratsnakes like to live in specific kinds of places. They often live in areas with Mediterranean-style shrubby plants. You can also find them in pasturelands, which are fields where animals graze. They sometimes live in plantations (areas where crops are grown) and even in rural gardens.
See also
- List of reptiles of Italy
