Coloration.—Olive in front, with a few large black, white- or yellow-edged spots on each side, the anterior of which is sometimes confluent with its fellow and forms a nuchal collar, as in the specimen figured on [Plate V].; the greater part of the body and tail uniform pale olive, yellowish, or reddish above, yellowish-white beneath. Head uniform olive-brown above, the labial, preocular, and postocular shields yellowish-white.
Total Length.—3 feet, rarely nearly 4 feet.
Distribution.—Southern Europe east of the Adriatic, as far north as Dalmatia, Asia Minor, Cis- and Trans-Caucasia, North-Western Persia, Cyprus, and Syria. Has also been recorded from Lower Egypt.
Habits.—This snake is even more lively than Z. gemonensis, and does not stand captivity long. It seeks dry, bushy localities, and feeds on small lizards, occasionally on locusts. It does not seem to be very common anywhere in Europe, except perhaps in Dalmatia, whence most of the specimens sold by dealers are imported.
Reproduction.—The pairing has been observed at the end of May. According to Werner, the eggs number usually three only, measuring 11⁄2 inches by 1⁄2 inch.
8. Zamenis hippocrepis, Linnæus
The Horseshoe Whip-Snake
Form.—Slender; snout obtuse, feebly prominent. Tail one-fifth to one-fourth of the total length.
Fig. 21 (after Sordelli)