Aesculapian Snake
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| Elaphe longissima Laurenti, 1768 |
Aesculapian Snake (Elaphe longissima or Zamenis longissimus) is a snake native to Europe.
It is a large slender non-venomous snake, which is an excellent tree-climber. When young, it feeds on lizards, as an adult its diet consists of rodents, moles, and shrews, young birds and eggs. Female lay clutches of 5-8 eggs.
A self-sustaining colony of Aesculapian Snakes established itself in North Wales during the 1970s. Although this snake is an alien species to the United Kingdom, it is considered harmless and poses no threat.
This species is also associated with Greek Mythology and Medical History. It is said that the staff of Aesculapius has 'Elaphe longissima' coiled around it. This is not to be confused with the staff of Hermes (the winged staff with 2 snakes). This species is also found in some places of Austria and Germany where Roman temples of healing were established. There have been a couple color morphs discovered with this species: Amelanism (albino), and Melanism.
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