Snakes of Europe Trivia Quiz

Answer: Elapidae

The Elapidae (cobras, coral snakes, kraits) do not occur in Europe. Most of the European snakes belong to the Colubridae or the Viperidae family. There is one representative of the Boidae family - the Eurasian sand boa - Eryx jaculus. This small (up to 60 cm) snake lives in south-east Europe.

Answer: viperine snake (Natrix maura)

The viperine snake is not venomous. The name "viperine" comes from the pattern on its body. The Montpelier snake, cat snake and hooded snake are rear-fanged snakes. Their fangs are located on the back of their jaws, which means that their bite has to be deep to cause envenomation.

The cat snake can do it with a great difficulty. The bite of the Montpelier snake is the most serious of the three, although it is never fatal.

Answer: common adder (Vipera berus)

The common adder reaches the latitude of the 69th parallel . This is one of the furthest north living reptiles.

Answer: meadow viper - Vipera ursinii

The meadow viper - also called the Ursini's viper was listed into the Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21th May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora. The leopard snake was also listed, but it is not venomous. The common adder and Montpelier snake are not listed.

The common adder also does not fit because it can be dangerous. The Montpelier snake is not "rather small".

Answer: All of these

"Coluber viridiflavus" means "green and yellow" snake. There is a variety within this species called "carbonaria", which is black (this is called melanism and occurs in many species). It lives in Italy (including Sardinia and Sicily), north-west Croatia, Switzerland, southern France (including Corsica) and Malta. It has no venom, but is quite aggressive and can bite quickly.

Answer: It is the largest European snake

The nose-horned viper, also called long-nosed adder or sand viper is not the largest European snake, although it is the largest European viper (up to 95 cm). It is the most dangerous snake in Europe - although some sources say the common adder has slightly stronger venom - the nose-horned viper has more venom. Without antivenom its bite can be fatal.

The venom is hemotoxic. This viper lives mainly in southern Europe, but also has some enclaves in central Europe, including Austria, where it is strictly protected.

Answer: Some individuals are quite similar to the common adder in their body pattern.

The smooth snake has a dark pattern on its back. In some individuals the pattern can be similar to the one seen in vipers. This was often used as an excuse to kill this snake (it should be stressed that vipers are also protected by law in most European countries). Eye-pupils of vipers (vertical) are different than the ones of smooth snakes (round).

The smooth snake is non-venomous, but some individuals can be aggressive. Its range includes southern parts of Scandinavia and Britain, central and southern Europe and Khazakhstan.

Answer: All of these facts are true.

The grass snake was regarded as sacred in Lithuania and some other parts of Europe. People believed that whenever such a snake comes to the courtyard it meant good luck. Grass snakes can swim very well. They are not aggressive. In defence they release a bad smelling substance.

Answer: corn snake - Elaphe guttata (Pantherophis guttatus)

The corn snake (Pantherphis guttatus) lives in the USA and Mexico. The other three species occur in southern Europe.

Answer: all three are possible

The coloration of the common adder can be silver-grey with a black zig-zag pattern, the background can also be grey-brown or even brick-red (in this case the pattern would be brown, not very distinct). Some adders are also melanistic i.e. fully black.