Common name : Common lizard snake, Yaleh snake, Western montpellier snake
Scientific name : Malpolon monspessulanus
Family : Colubridae
Native to : Mediterranean basin
Interesting fact : When threatened, it raises its body like a cobra, hisses loudly, forms a hood and attempts to bite.
Conservation status : Least Concern
The montpellier snake looks quite ferocious with its large, thick rimmed eyes. A 7-footer, it has fangs deep inside its mouth and hence not harmful to humans. It prefers shot and arid areas with shrubs and can be found on rocks, walls, vineyards and near rivers. Lizards are their favourite though they also feed on small mammals.
