Added 6 May 2007. Last updated 3 March 2016: updated entry for M. moilensis and added 2016 update on new reclassifications.
Malpolon contains two rear-fanged species whose bite varies from unpleasant (monspessulanus) to potentially dangerous (moilensis). Of the two, M. monspessulanus is probably better known to most Europeans as it occurs in much of southern Europe. While not likely to attack unless provoked (often by an attempt at capture), both snakes should be treated with respect and medical attention sought in the case of a bite.
In North Africa the two can be told apart as follows:
The snout of M. moilensis is more elongated and the canthus rostralis overhangs the lower jaw more than in M. monspessulanus, whose snout is more rounded
M. moilensis has only 1 loreal, whereas M. monspessulanus has 2
M. moilensis has a dark spot of 1-2 bars behind the angle of the mouth, which M. monspessulanus lacks.
In 2011 Böhme & de Pury reinstated the genus name Rhagerhis for moilensis, based on molecular genetic evidence and three diagnostic characteristics: skull structure; elongated neck ribs, longer than those in monspessulanus; and a different microdermatoglyphic scale pattern from that found in monspessulanus. Some authorities have also upgraded the subspecies M. m. insignitus to a full species. The Reptile Database entry for “Malpolon” has more results.
|
|
QUICK INDEX |
|
|
M. moilensis, Moila Snake |
M. monspessulanus, Montpellier Snake |
|
|
Scientific Name |
Common Name |
Distribution |
Size |
Notes |
|
Malpolon |
||||
|
Moila Snake, False Cobra, Talheh Snake [Iran] [D Moilanatter] |
Mauretania, Niger, Mali, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, Israel, Sinai, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, SW Iran, Saudi Arabia, Oman: poss. Ghana |
|
Although less well-known than its congeneric M. monspessulanus, this species is said to have the more dangerous bite, although KKS note that no cases of human fatalities have been recorded in recent years. Nevertheless caution is indicated when dealing with this snake. The common name reported by KKS appears to arise from the behaviour of the snake if threatened or irritated, when it shows dorsoventral neck compression in a similar manner to the cobra. It has a habit of leaning forward with body raised at 45 degrees, including in the threat posture. M. moilensis is found in a number of habitats (in Iran, deserts and scrublands), the main requirement being places of refuge and a supply of lizards, which together with small rodents and birds form its diet. The snake's activity at any time of day depends on the local climate and weather, so it may be active during the day, at dusk and dawn or at night depending on local conditions. Latifi claims that in addition to feeding on lizards, this species also akes roaches. Scalation details: rostral usually equally wide as deep; internasals nearly as large as prefrontals; 1 loreal; 1 preocular; 2-3 postoculars; temporals 1+2, 2+3 or 2+4. 7-8 supralabials, of which 4th and 5th contact eye; 4-5 infralabials contact submaxillaries. Dorsal scalation: smooth, in 17 rows at midbody. Ventral scalation: 139-176. Subcaudals: paired, 48-73. Other: anal divided; snout slender and attentuate; head triangular. Coloration: overall pale yellowish, yellowish brown, sandy grey or dorsally reddish yellow with irregular and indistinct brown or black spots on the back and smaller ones on the flanks. 1-2 indistinct large dark bars behind mouth angle. Ventrally cream or white, may also have reddish speckles. Reproduction: mating takes place April-June. Females lay 4-18 eggs July-August [SOURCE: KKS, Latifi]. |
|
|
Montpellier Snake [D Europäische Eidechsennatter: F couleuvre de Montpellier: Sp Culebra Bastarda: Persian: Yaleh Snake/Teer Snake] |
S France, Iberia, N Italy, Balkans and Turkey: NW Africa and Middle East |
80" |
This snake is one of the back-fanged colubrids which have a certain venomous capability: not usually enough to kill a human, but certainly enough to dispatch its prey (lizards, snakes or small rodents) and bad enough to inflict a good deal of pain on a person. Owing to its prey preferences it inhabits dry stony areas heavily populated by lizards, such as piles of stones on the edges of fields or near ruined buildings. When hunting it will occasionally rear up and look around, making it somewhat resemble the cobra. If it feels threatened it hisses loudly and attacks with the mouth closed. Unusually for a snake, this colubrid possesses good vision. One of its distinguishing features is in fact the prominent ridge above its eyes, giving it a frowning appearance. Females lay up to 20 eggs in the latter part of April, usually in spaces within stone piles so as to maintain the moisture level for the embryos. The young feed mainly on insects. Scalation details: rostral usually equally wide as deep; internasals shorter than prefrontals; 2 loreals; 1 large preocular; 2-3 postoculars; temporals 2+3 or 2+4. 8-9 supralabials, of which 4th and 5th or 5th and 6th contact eye; 4-5 infralabials contact submaxillaries. Dorsal scalation: longitudinally grooved, in 17-19 (occasionally 20) rows at midbody. Ventral scalation: 146-210 (N Africa). Subcaudals: paired, 62-102 (N Africa), 68-102 (Iberia). Other: anal divided. Coloration: very variable. Dorsally overall yellowish, cream-coloured Ventral scales: 160-189. Subcaudal scales: 68-100. Clutch size: 4-20, April. |
|
|
M. m. monspessulanus |
S France, Spain, Portugal, N Italy (inc. Lampedusa), N & W Morocco |
|||
|
M. m. insignitus |
Croatia, Herzogovina, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Greece (inc. Lesbos, Chios and Corfu), Bulgaria, Turkey and Cyprus: E Morocco to Egypt |
|||
Lurche und Kriechtiere Europas, Engelmann, Fritzsche, Günther and Obst, Enke, Leipzig 1986.
Collins Field Guide to Reptiles & Amphibians of Britain & Europe, E N Arnold, J A Burton and D W Ovenden, HarperCollins, London 1978. An invaluable guide, although a few of the taxonomic details are in need of revision.
Reptiles and Amphibians of Europe, Walter Hellmich, Blandford Press, London 1962. Taxonomy is rather outdated but useful on details of appearance, habitat and subspecies.
Snakes of the World, Chris Mattison, Blandford Press.
Amphibians and Reptiles of North Africa, W Kästle, H H Schleich and K Kabisch, Koeltz Scientific Books, Germany 1996. Outstanding review of N African herpetofauna giving detailed account of each species. It contains entries for both Malpolon species.
Guia de campo de los anfibios y reptiles de la peninsula iberica, islas baleares y canarias [Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of the Iberian Peninsula, Balearic and Canary Islands], Alfredo Salvador, Madrid. ISBN: 84-86238-07-2. Excellent book covering all reptiles and amphibians in the aforementioned areas with a section on each species. The one drawback for English speakers is that the text is Spanish. This book is unfortunately now out of print, but well worth purchasing if you can get a second hand copy.
"An Introduction to Reptiles and Amphibians of the Greek Islands", David Buttle, Reptilian 3:7. Very useful article not just for the distribution of herps in the area but also for ecology and details of lesser-known species.
“A note on the generic allocation of Coluber moilensis Reuss, 1834 (Serpentes: Psammophiidae)”, Wolfgang Böhme & Stéphanie de Pury, Salamandra 47(2), 2011.
Back to Colubrids | Back to Snakes | Reptiles | Back to Herpetology | Back to Home Page