# Aesculapian Snake (*Zamenis longissimus*) The Aesculapian Snake is a long, slender snake that is usually green or yellowish. It loves to climb trees and can often be found basking in the sun on warm rocks. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** Aesculapian Serpent ![Aesculapian Snake](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Zamenis_longissimus.jpg&width=800) Photo: FelixReimann, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Zamenis_longissimus.jpg) ## Appearance The Aesculapian Snake has a slender, glossy body, typically olive-green, yellowish-brown, or greyish-brown. It often displays faint pale stripes or scattered white flecks, and its smooth scales give it a distinctive sheen. Its yellow-white chin and throat often stand out. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Serpentes - **Family:** Colubridae - **Genus:** Zamenis ## Interesting facts - In ancient Greece, these docile snakes were kept in temples, symbolizing healing and renewal. - This snake is named after Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine, whose staff features two snakes! - Unlike many snakes, it can have tiny, almost invisible white spots scattered over its smooth scales. - Young Aesculapian Snakes often have a distinct dark collar that disappears as they grow older! ## Special abilities - **Climbing Master:** Aesculapian Snakes can climb trees and ruins with ease because of their strong, agile bodies that help them hunt and escape. - **Silent Constrictor:** Aesculapian Snakes have powerful muscles that help them constrict prey, squeezing small animals until they can no longer breathe. - **Sun Bather:** Aesculapian Snakes can regulate their body temperature by basking in the sun, which helps them stay active and digest food. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 140-200 cm - **Weight:** 0.5-2 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-25 years - **Speed:** 8 km/h - **Swim Speed:** 2 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-18 - **Incubation:** 50-70 days ## Diet & Feeding This snake is a carnivore that ambushes small, warm-blooded animals and birds. - **Age differences:** Young snakes primarily eat lizards and insects before switching to larger prey as adults. - **Primary Foods:** Mice, Voles, Shrews, Bird eggs, Fledgling birds - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [House Mouse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/house-mouse) (*Mus musculus*) — A primary food source in its varied diet. - **Hunts:** Wood Mouse (*Apodemus sylvaticus*) — A common prey item in woodlands and fields. - **Eats:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — Preys on nests, consuming eggs and fledglings. - **Eaten by:** [Common Buzzard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-buzzard) (*Buteo buteo*) — A potential aerial predator when basking in open areas. - **Eaten by:** Beech Marten (*Martes foina*) — A terrestrial predator that hunts snakes on the ground. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low If you see a snake, it's best to stay calm and walk away. Snakes are usually not dangerous. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Aesculapian Snake? Compare the full body pattern, build, head markings and tail. Color can shift with age and lighting. Rules of thumb about triangular heads or round pupils aren't a reliable way to tell whether a snake is venomous. Snake Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Aesculapian Snake? 140-200 cm ### How much does Aesculapian Snake weigh? 0.5-2 kg ### How long does Aesculapian Snake live? 15-25 years ### How fast can Aesculapian Snake move? 8 km/h ### What does Aesculapian Snake eat? This snake is a carnivore that ambushes small, warm-blooded animals and birds. ### How fast can Aesculapian Snake swim? 2 km/h ### Where is Aesculapian Snake usually found? Forests ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Aesculapian Snake: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/aesculapian-snake)