| Four-lined snake | |
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Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Elaphe |
| Species: | E. quatuorlineata |
| Binomial name | |
| Elaphe quatuorlineata (Lacépède, 1789) | |
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| Synonyms | |
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Elaphe quatuorlineata (common names: four-lined snake, Bulgarian ratsnake [3] ) is a member of the family Colubridae. [4] The four-lined snake is a non-venomous species and one of the largest of the European snakes.
The species' common name refers to the markings seen on the body of adult snakes: four dark stripes running along a yellowish brown body. [5] Juveniles, by contrast, have a dorsal series of dark brown blotches with alternating dark brown spots on the sides, all on a pale brown background. A black line runs from the corner of the eye and the belly is cream to white with darker markings. [6] Adults can reach a length of 180 cm (5 ft 11 in), rarely 200 cm (6 ft 7 in). [7] Adults are among the heaviest European snakes but are greatly variably in size, with males potentially weighing from 250 to 1,000 g (0.6 to 2.2 lb) and females potentially weighing from 400 to 1,400 g (0.9 to 3.1 lb) within the Aegean Islands. [8]
Four-lined snakes are found in Italy, along the whole western coast of the Balkan [9] peninsula, in the western half of Greece and many of the Greek islands, Macedonia (region), the southwestern corner of Bulgaria, [7] coastal Slovenia, coastal Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Albania. [6] The number of snakes and the density of the populations are unknown. [7]
The four-lined snake favours areas with a Mediterranean climate and is found in habitats featuring vegetation, stone walls, sparse woodland, forest margins and deserted buildings. [5] In the winter, individuals spend their time in deserted rodent burrows in groups of four to seven. [5] Their behaviour is generally calmer than that of other snakes (seldom hissing or striking) and they are usually active in the morning and late afternoon. Excellent climbers, they can often be found in the tops of trees. [10]
A large proportion of the snakes' diet consists of small mammals, such as rabbits, weasels, squirrels, and mice. [5] They also feed on birds, lizards, newly hatched tortoises and eggs. [7] Females of the species have been shown to feed more often upon birds than do males. [11]
The mating season lasts from April to May. Females have a gestation period that lasts about two months, the eggs being laid in summer. Females typically lay around 6–18 eggs and incubate them for about 40–60 days. [10]
The four-lined snake has been considered endangered in Bulgaria due to poachers and agriculture. [7] It appears on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as "Near Threatened" because of probable significant decline in its abundance and widespread habitat loss. [1]
Rat snakes are members – along with kingsnakes, milk snakes, vine snakes and indigo snakes – of the subfamily Colubrinae of the family Colubridae. They are medium to large constrictors and are found throughout much of the Northern Hemisphere. They feed primarily on rodents. Many species make attractive and docile pets and one, the corn snake, is one of the most popular reptile pets in the world. Like all snakes, they can be defensive when approached too closely, handled, or restrained. However, rat snake bites are not dangerous to humans. Like nearly all colubrids, rat snakes pose no threat to humans. Rat snakes were long believed to be completely nonvenomous, but recent studies have shown that some Old World species do possess small amounts of venom, though the amount is negligible relative to humans.
Pantherophis obsoletus, also known commonly as the western rat snake, black rat snake, pilot black snake, or simply black snake, is a nonvenomous species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to central North America. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid. Its color variations include the Texas rat snake. Along with other snakes of the eastern United States, like the eastern indigo snake and the eastern racer, it is called “black snake”.
The Persian ratsnake is a species of medium-sized nonvenomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Western Asia.
The Aesculapian snake 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 length, it is among the largest European snakes, similar in size to the four-lined snake and the Montpellier snake. The Aesculapian snake has been of cultural and historical significance for its role in ancient Greek, Roman and Illyrian mythology and derived symbolism.
Elaphe is a genus of snakes in the family Colubridae. Elaphe is one of the main genera of the rat snakes, which are found in many regions of the northern hemisphere. Elaphe species are medium to large constrictors by nature.
The trinket snake, also known commonly as the common trinket snake, is a species of nonvenomous constricting snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to southern Central Asia.
The eastern trinket snake is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to South Asia.
Gonyosoma oxycephalum, known commonly as the arboreal ratsnake, the red-tailed green rat snake, and the red-tailed racer, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Southeast Asia.
Pantherophis bairdi is a species of harmless snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to the southwestern United States and adjacent northeastern Mexico. No subspecies are recognized as being valid.
The Japanese rat snake is a medium-sized colubrid snake found throughout the Japanese archipelago as well as on the Russian-administered Kunashir Island. In Japanese it is known as the aodaishō or "blue general". It is non-venomous. It is hunted by eagles and tanukis.
Elaphe schrenckii is a species of nonvenomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is indigenous to Northeast Asia.
The ladder snake is a species of non-venomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to southwestern Europe.
The Italian Aesculapian snake is a species of snake in the Colubridae family.
The European ratsnake or leopard snake, is a species of nonvenomous colubrid snake endemic to Europe, Asia Minor, and the Caucasus.
Senticolis is a genus of nonvenomous snake in the family Colubridae. The genus Senticolis is monotypic, containing the sole species Senticolis triaspis, also known as the green rat snake. The species is endemic to Central America, Mexico, southern Arizona, and southern New Mexico.
Pantherophis alleghaniensis, commonly called the eastern rat snake, is a species of non venomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to North America.
The blotched snake, a member of the Colubrinae subfamily of the family Colubridae, is a nonvenomous snake found in Eastern Europe. It grows up to 260 cm in length but the medium is 120 to 160 cm. It is one of the largest European snakes. The species has been of cultural and historical significance for its role in ancient Greek and Roman mythology and derived symbolism.
The Transcaucasian ratsnake, also commonly known as the Gavand snake, is a species of nonvenomous ratsnake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to Western Asia and the Middle East. There are three recognized subspecies.
Elaphe dione, commonly known as Dione's rat snake, the steppe rat snake, or the steppes rat snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to Asia and Eastern Europe. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid. A large specimen from Putyatin Island measured up to 90 cm (3.0 ft) in length.
Gonyosoma jansenii, commonly known as the Celebes black-tailed rat snake, the Celebes ratsnake, and Jansen's rat snake, is a species of snake in the subfamily Colubrinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.
| Authority control databases: National |
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