Western whip snake
The green whip snake or western whip snake (Hierophis viridiflavus ) is a species of snake in the family Colubridae.
The Green whip snake is a slender non-venomous snake with a small but well-defined head, prominent eyes with circular pupils, and smooth scales. The background color is greenish-yellow but this is mostly obscured by heavy, somewhat irregular bands of dark green or black, particularly in the front half of the snake. The underparts are grey or yellowish and the tail has narrow longitudinal stripes. The young are a greyish color and develop their full adult coloring by about their fourth year. There is a larger, up to two meters long, often pure black variant of the Green whip snake found in Italy and Malta; it is referred to there as 'Il Biacco'.
Green whip snakes are found in Andorra, Croatia, France, Italy, Malta, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, and possibly Greece and Luxembourg. They inhabit temperate forests and shrubland, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, arable land, pastureland, plantations, rural gardens, and urban areas.
Green whip snakes are agile fast-moving creatures. They are largely terrestrial but may also climb vegetation. Green whip snakes prefer to spend time on their own and hunt by day. When cornered they become quite aggressive and may bite furiously. During cold months of the year, they hibernate in underground burrows or cavities, in or under trees and stumps, or in abandoned buildings, often in groups.
Commonly regarded as non-venomous, it is described that a subject who endured 'sustained biting' of up to 5 minutes began showing suspect symptoms, including problems with neuromotor skills. It is described that a gland called the Duvernoy's gland, maybe similar to the venom gland, has some responsibility.
Green whip snakes are carnivores and mainly feed on lizards, skinks, frogs, mice, as well as on the young and eggs of small birds.
Green whip snakes breed in May soon after emerging after hibernation. Females lay 4 to 15 eggs in holes on the ground, in rotting vegetation, or under stones, logs, or tree stumps. The young hatch 6-8 weeks later and measure 20-25 centimeters in length.
Green whip snakes have a wide distribution and are very common within that range. They do not face significant threats, apart from roadkill and persecution.
According to IUCN, the Green whip snake is widespread throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.
