Western Montpellier snake: illustrated description
Physical features
- The Western Montpellier snake is the largest snake in Europe. It can reach 2 meters in length (the average length of a snake is 1.70 m). Males are larger than females.
- Its head is narrow, not very distinct (in width) from the rest of its body.
- The Western Montpellier snake has large eyes.
- It has round pupils (like all garter snakes).
- It has protruding arches above the eyes (= supra-ocular scales).
- It has one pre-ocular and two post-ocular scales.
- Its snout is rather pointed.
- The scales on its body are hollowed (“trough-shaped”).
Habitat
The Western Montpellier snake is mainly found in Mediterranean areas.
It lives mainly in :
- garrigues
- dunes
- orchards
- vineyards
- plains (up to 1600 m altitude)
Overview
- The Montpellier snake is a ground snake.
- It’s actually native to Africa.
- It is easy to observe. The male is highly mobile. The female is more discreet, staying close to the nest.
- It is the only venomous garter in France.
- It has a vigilant character.
Diet
- Like most snakes, the Western Montpellier snake has excellent eyesight. It “hunts by sight”: it locates its prey by sight. It adopts an upright position to observe its surroundings.
- It feeds mainly on :
- small mammals
- birds
- lizards and other snakes
- It has hooks at the back of its mouth (bite with envenomation). Its prey is envenomated during swallowing to immobilize and kill it more quickly.
Breeding
- The Western Montpellier snake is oviparous.
- Its nest is usually located in low walls or stones.
- Egg-laying takes place from April to June.
- Egg incubation lasts around 50 days.
Western Montpellier snake: scientific classification
- Domain: biota
- Kingdom: animalia
- Phylum: chordata
- Class: reptilia
- Order: squamata
- Family: lamprophildae
- Genus: malpolon
- Species: Malpolon monspessulanus
Sources:
- Webinar hosted by Nicolas FUENTO, who is an LPO wildlife officer & herpetologist (Western Provence) on October 1st 2024.
- Serpentsdefrance.fr where this list of the 10 Provence snakes comes from.
- "Serpents & autres reptiles" published by Komet (book in French)
- "Sur la piste des reptiles & des amphibiens" published by Dunod (book in French)
- "Mes Guides Nature : Reptiles & amphibiens" published by Milan Jeunesse (book in French)
- "Mon amie, la couleuvre", DVD published by Salamandre