Snakes live on every continent except Antarctica. They can even be found in some of the most remote places on Earth. Their habitats range from deserts to lush tropical rainforests. Snakes are found in all of Europe except for Ireland and Iceland. Both venomous and nonvenomous species are found on the continent. Continue reading to learn about which snake species are found in Europe and which is the largest.
Snakes in Europe
One of the most common venomous snake species in Europe is the common European viper (Vipera berus).
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The common European adder (Vipera berus), also known as the common European viper, is one of the most common snake species in Europe. It ranges from Great Britain to East Asia. Europe is home to approximately 14 species of the Viperidae family, most of which belong to the genus Vipera. These include the sand viper (Vipera ammodytes), the meadow viper (Vipera ursinii), the Haly’s pit viper (Gloydius halys), and the asp viper (Vipera aspis). Each species of this family is venomous, though only one of them, Haly’s pit viper, has heat-sensing pit organs.
Other snake species, such as the green whip snake (Hierophis viridiflavus), the Balkan whip snake (Hierophis gemonensis, previously Coluber gemonensis), and the ladder snake (Zamenis scalaris), are also prevalent in Europe.
Two species vie for the title of largest snake in Europe. These are the aesculapian snake (Zamenis longissimus, previously Elaphe longissima) and the Caspian whipsnake (Dolichophis caspius, sometimes also Coluber caspius). By adulthood, both species can reach 6.5 feet in length, but the Caspian whipsnake is generally recognized as the largest, with some individuals exceeding 7 feet and record lengths up to 8 feet.
Aesculapian Snake
The Aesculapian snake is non-venomous. Instead of envenomating prey, they catch and constrict prey before swallowing it whole.
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Aesculapian snakes are found throughout Eastern and Central Europe, as well as in some parts of Great Britain. They have even been seen in Wales, though they are uncommon there. These snakes are named after Aesculapius, the Greco-Roman god of medicine, and are featured on today’s emergency medical service’s Star of Life. Of all snakes in Europe, the aesculapians are the best tree climbers. They are frequently seen high up on tree limbs, hunting for small mammals, reptiles, birds, and nests with eggs.
Aesculapian snakes are 6.5 to 6.6 feet long. They are oviparous, meaning that females lay eggs rather than giving birth. Ranging in color from green-gray to brown-gray, Aesculapian snakes have yellow undersides and black tongues. These snakes are eaten by a wide variety of creatures, including badgers, foxes, feral pigs, and birds of prey. When young, they are at risk of predation by domestic cats, dogs, chickens, and hedgehogs.
Caspian Whipsnake
The Caspian whipsnake (Dolichophis caspius) does not have venom, but it is known for its short temper.
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Caspian whipsnakes are native to Eastern Europe, the Balkans, some parts of the Mediterranean, and the Middle East. Caspian whipsnakes are known for their defensiveness, which includes hissing and multiple bites in quick succession. The Caspian whipsnake’s diet consists of small mammals, rodents, birds, reptiles, and occasionally amphibians.
Caspian whipsnakes typically grow to approximately 6 feet, with rare individuals reaching up to 8 feet. They are thick-bodied, with narrow heads and large, black eyes. Their coloring ranges from solid brown to gray, with pale undersides. Females are oviparous and lay between 5 and 15 eggs per clutch. Like the Aesculapian snake, the Caspian whipsnake is nonvenomous but will not hesitate to bite when threatened.
