BIOSNIPPET ISSUE 49 Scientific Name: Zamenis situla Synonym: Elaphe situla English: Leopard Snake, European Ratsnake Maltese: il-lifgħa Reaching up to 1m in length, the Leopard Snake is one of the four native snake species in the Maltese Islands. Locally it is scarce, being found amongst stones and vegetation in woodland, garrigue and field verges. This species is usually ash-grey or yellowish, and has a number of reddish-brown spots with black borders, hence the epithet ‘leopard’. Its eyes are also reddish and do not have the slit-like pupils that many other snake species have. The Leopard Snake is mainly active during the day; however, it may sometimes be seen hunting at dusk. Juveniles feed mainly on lizards, while adults constrict their prey and feed mostly on small rodents. This species hibernates for the coldest winter months, becoming active again in spring, the time in which it lays between 2-7 eggs. Urbanisation has caused many impacts on most native species, constricting their habitats to small, fragmented areas. However, this snake does not seem to be affected negatively by urbanisation, having spread its distribution into private gardens and many industrial Photos credit: Guido Bonett areas. Having such a unique pattern, the Leopard Snake is quite popular for illegal pet trade. Unfortunately, due to its inhabitation of urbanised areas, it is often killed due to the popular belief that all snakes are dangerous, even though this species does not have any venom and poses no threat to humans. While it is a scarce, the Leopard Snake has been given a favourable conservation status in the Maltese Islands and is protected through national, international and EU legislation. Environment and Resources Authority Hexagon House, Spencer Hill Marsa MRS 1441 T: (+356) 2292 3500 E: [email protected] W: era.org.mt.