# Western Montpellier Snake (*Malpolon monspessulanus*) The Western Montpellier Snake is a long, slender snake that can be found in warm areas. It is known for its quick movements and beautiful colors, which help it blend into its surroundings. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Western Montpellier Snake](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Couleuvre_montpellier.jpg&width=800) Photo: Hubert Laroche, CC BY 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Couleuvre_montpellier.jpg) ## Appearance The Western Montpellier Snake is a large, robust snake with a distinctive brow ridge above its eyes, giving it a somewhat grumpy look. It typically has a yellowish-brown, olive, or grey-brown back with a lighter belly. Males often display a prominent dark mark on their neck or shoulders, setting them apart. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Family:** Psammophiidae - **Genus:** Malpolon ## Interesting facts - It is one of Europe's largest venomous snakes! - Its eyes have a 'hood' making it look like it's always frowning! - Its venom usually only affects small prey, not humans much! - This snake can flatten its body to squeeze into tiny hiding spots! ## Special abilities - **Sun Blocker Gaze:** Western Montpellier Snake has a bony brow ridge that protects its eyes from harsh sunlight, helping them spot prey clearly. - **Rapid Restraint:** Western Montpellier Snake can deliver a quick, venomous bite with its rear fangs that helps them overpower small prey fast. - **Heat Seeker Scales:** Western Montpellier Snake can bask efficiently in sunny spots because of its scale patterns, helping it regulate body temperature. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 100-250 cm - **Weight:** 0.5-4 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-20 years - **Speed:** 18 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 4-20 - **Incubation:** 50-70 days ## Diet & Feeding This snake loves to hunt and eat lizards, other snakes, and even small mammals! - **Primary Foods:** lizards, rodents, other snakes, small birds - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Common Wall Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-wall-lizard) (*Podarcis muralis*) — A favorite snack for this snake. - **Hunts:** [House Mouse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/house-mouse) (*Mus musculus*) — Preys on these common rodents. - **Eaten by:** [Common Buzzard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-buzzard) (*Buteo buteo*) — Sometimes caught by large birds of prey. ## 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. - [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. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [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:** 2/5 · Low If you see a snake, it's best to stay calm and keep your distance. Snakes are shy and usually want to be left alone. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Western Montpellier 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 Western Montpellier Snake? 100-250 cm ### How much does Western Montpellier Snake weigh? 0.5-4 kg ### How long does Western Montpellier Snake live? 15-20 years ### How fast can Western Montpellier Snake move? 18 km/h ### What does Western Montpellier Snake eat? This snake loves to hunt and eat lizards, other snakes, and even small mammals! ### Where is Western Montpellier Snake usually found? Grasslands ### How does Western Montpellier Snake hunt? Pursuit ## 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: [Western Montpellier Snake: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-montpellier-snake)