Aesculapian Snake
FamilyColubridae
Venom TypeNon-venomous
Max Length2 m
RangeCentral and Southern Europe
HabitatWarm woodland
DietRodents, birds
Danger LevelNone
About the Aesculapian Snake
One of the largest snakes in Europe, named after Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine. It is thought to be the snake shown coiled around the Rod of Asclepius, still used as a symbol of medicine. An expert climber that can scale vertical tree trunks. It lives in warm, sunny woodlands. Isolated populations north of its main range are believed to be relics of a warmer climate.
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