Common name: Transcaucasian Rat Snake
Scientific name: Zamenis hohenackeri
Family: Colubridae

Size:
Total length: 70–100 cm

Identification:
A slender, medium-sized snake with a slightly elongated head that is clearly distinct from the body. The eyes are relatively large with round pupils, giving it a calm but alert expression. Coloration typically ranges from light grey to brown or olive, marked with a series of darker blotches or saddle-like patterns along the back, sometimes forming a more continuous pattern toward the tail. The underside is usually pale, occasionally with faint speckling. Smooth scales give the snake a sleek and refined appearance.

Habitat:
Dry and semi-arid environments including rocky hillsides, open scrublands, grasslands, and agricultural areas. In Lebanon, it is mainly associated with Mediterranean habitats, especially rocky terrain with stone cover and sparse vegetation that provide shelter and hunting grounds.

Status in Lebanon:
Native but rarely encountered. Likely under-recorded due to its secretive behavior and preference for rocky, less accessible habitats.

Diet:
Carnivorous — feeds mainly on small mammals such as rodents, as well as lizards and occasionally birds or their eggs.

Behavior:
Diurnal and generally active, often moving through rocky terrain in search of prey. An active hunter that relies on stealth and precision rather than ambush. When threatened, it usually retreats quickly and avoids confrontation. Non-venomous and harmless to humans.

Conservation status:
Least Concern (IUCN Red List)