Common name: Red Whip Snake
Scientific name: Platyceps collaris
Family: Colubridae

Size:
Total length: 70–120 cm

Identification:
A slender, fast-moving snake with a long tail and smooth scales. The coloration ranges from reddish to reddish-brown, often with darker spots or blotches along the back. The head is narrow and slightly distinct from the body, with relatively large eyes and round pupils. The overall appearance is elegant and adapted for speed.

Habitat:
Rocky hillsides, dry grasslands, scrublands, and agricultural areas. Often associated with open terrain and stone cover.

Status in Lebanon:
Native and locally present. Likely under-recorded due to its speed and alert behavior.

Diet:
Carnivorous — feeds on lizards, small rodents, birds, and other small vertebrates.

Behavior:
Diurnal and highly active. Known for its speed and agility, often seen darting across open ground. Capable climber and sometimes found on low vegetation. Non-venomous and harmless to humans. Relies on vision and quick reflexes to hunt.

Conservation status:
Least Concern (IUCN Red List)