Colubridae
Italian Aesculapian Snake
HarmlessZamenis lineatus
5 photographs of the Italian Aesculapian Snake. © Mario Bassini.
The Italian Aesculapian Snake (Zamenis lineatus) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 4 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Italian Aesculapian Snake
The Italian Aesculapian snake (Zamenis lineatus) is a species of snake in the subfamily Colubrinae of the family Colubridae. The species is native to parts of Italy.
Geographic distribution
Zamenis lineatus is native to southern Italy and Sicily. The northern limit of its geographical range is the Province of Caserta in the west and the Province of Foggia in the east. It is absent from the Salentine Peninsula (Salento), which is the "heel" of the "boot" of Italy.
The type locality is Naples.
Description
The Italian Aesculapian snake is a medium to large snake that reaches a maximum total length (tail included) of 2 m (6+1⁄2 ft). Dorsally, it is yellowish brown and may have four dark brown stripes. If present, the stripes are of equal width and equidistant. The dorsal scales are smooth. The iris of the eye is red, giving it the common name in Italian of saettone occhirossi (red-eyed racer).
Habitat
The natural habitats of Zamenis lineatus are temperate forests, temperate shrubland, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, arable land, pastureland, rural gardens, and urban areas, at altitudes from sea level to 1,600 m (5,200 ft).
Behavior
Zamenis lineatus is partly arboreal.
Diet
The Italian Aesculapian snake feeds on lizards, small mammals, and eggs.
Reproduction
Zamenis lineatus is oviparous.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Italian Aesculapian Snake
- Is the Italian Aesculapian Snake venomous?
- No. The Italian Aesculapian Snake (Zamenis lineatus) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.
- Is the Italian Aesculapian Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Italian Aesculapian Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Italian Aesculapian Snake dangerous?
- The Italian Aesculapian Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Italian Aesculapian Snake live?
- The Italian Aesculapian Snake has verified records in 4 countries, including Italy, Spain, Switzerland. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- What does the Italian Aesculapian Snake eat?
- The Italian Aesculapian snake feeds on lizards, small mammals, and eggs.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Classification
How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.
- OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards
- Squamata
- FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits
- Colubridae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Zamenis
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Zamenis lineatus
Keep learning
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What Is a Snake? Anatomy and the BasicsA clear overview of what makes a snake a snake: limbless body plan, anatomy, evolution from lizards, species diversity, and why they are ectothermic.
- How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard and HomeA practical guide to keeping snakes out of your yard and home using habitat changes that work, plus what to skip and what to do if one shows up.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.