Transcaucasian Rat Snake (Ψ£ΩΨΉΩ Ψ§ΩΨ¬Ψ±Ψ°Ψ§Ω Ψ§ΩΩΩΩΨ§Ψ²ΩΨ©) \ Zamenis hohenackeri **
non-venomous
Photo credit: Shady Akl
Photo credit : Jad Mershed
Photo credit: Shady Akl
Photo credit: Shady Akl
The Transcaucasian Rat Snake (Zamenis hohenackeri) is a slender, non-venomous colubrid adapted to rocky and semi-arid landscapes across parts of the Middle East and the Caucasus region. It typically shows a light grey to brownish background color marked with darker blotches or saddles along the body, providing effective camouflage among stones and dry vegetation. This species is often associated with rocky slopes, open scrublands, and agricultural edges, where it shelters under stones, within crevices, or in abandoned burrows. It is primarily diurnal and an active forager, feeding on small mammals, lizards, and occasionally birds or their eggs, playing an important role in controlling rodent populations. Although generally secretive and not frequently encountered, it is not considered aggressive and will usually retreat when disturbed.
Related Species
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Large Whip Snake (Dolichophis jugularis)
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Red Whip Snake (Platyceps collaris)
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Arabian Cat Snake (Telescopus dhara)
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Mediterranean Cat Snake (Telescopus fallax syriacus)
| NOT EVALUATED | DATA DEFICIENT | LEAST CONCERN** | NEAR THREATENED | VULNERABLE | ENDANGERED | CRITICALLY ENDANGERED | EXTINCT IN THE WILD | EXTINCT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NE | DD | LC | NT | VU | EN | CR | EW | EX |

