# Montpellier Snake (Malpolon monspessulanus) - Web page: https://www.funwildfacts.com/europa/reptile/montpellier-snake - Published: 2026-05-30 - Last updated: 2026-05-30 ## Overview The Montpellier snake is Europe's largest native serpent, capable of reaching an impressive length of up to 2.55 meters, though most individuals measure between 1.5 and 2 meters. This slender and elegant snake has a distinctive pointed snout and large eyes with round pupils, giving it an intelligent appearance. The coloration varies from gray-brown to olive-green or dark brown on the upper side, often with small dark spots or a network of dark lines. The belly is lighter, usually yellowish or cream-colored. Young Montpellier snakes often have more distinct patterns that fade with age. This fascinating snake is mildly venomous, possessing venom glands and two enlarged teeth at the rear of the upper jaw, making it a rear-fanged venomous snake (opisthoglyph). The venom is primarily used to subdue prey and is not dangerous to humans under normal circumstances, as the snake's venom fangs are positioned so far back that it must chew on its victim to inject venom. The Montpellier snake is a highly active hunter that prefers to hunt during daylight hours, especially during warmer periods. It is incredibly fast and has excellent eyesight, which it uses to locate prey such as lizards, small rodents, birds, and even other snakes. The Montpellier snake favors warm, dry environments around the Mediterranean and is found in southern Spain, Portugal, southern France, northwestern Italy, as well as parts of North Africa and the Middle East. It thrives in rocky areas, scrubland, vineyards, olive groves, and other open or semi-open habitats with good sun exposure. The species is excellent at climbing and can often be seen in bushes or low trees when basking or hunting for birds and eggs. Despite its size and speed, the Montpellier snake is quite shy and avoids humans when possible. During spring, after winter dormancy, Montpellier snakes mate and females lay between 4 and 18 eggs in early summer. The eggs are placed in moist, sheltered locations such as rotting vegetation, under stones, or in abandoned animal burrows. After approximately 60 days, the young snakes hatch, completely independent from birth and measuring around 25-30 centimeters. The species is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, but local populations are threatened by habitat loss, road mortality, and persecution due to misunderstandings about its danger. ## Quick facts - Weight: 0.3–1.2 kg - Length: 1–2.55 m - Top Speed: 12 km/h - Lifespan: 10–20 yrs - Diet: Omnivore - Conservation Status: Least Concern ## Habitat The Montpellier snake is a true Mediterranean species that thrives in warm, sunny environments with plenty of basking sites and refuges. It prefers rocky slopes, garrigue (Mediterranean scrubland), maquis, rocky hills, terraces with olive groves, vineyards, and other open or semi-open landscapes. The species is found from sea level up to around 2000 meters elevation in mountainous areas, but is most common at lower elevations where temperatures are higher. It requires areas with a good mosaic of open surfaces for basking and vegetation for shelter and hunting. Throughout its range across the Mediterranean region, the Montpellier snake has adapted to various microhabitats, from dry steppes in Spain to scrublands in North Africa and rocky slopes in the Middle East. It avoids dense forests and humid areas but can occasionally be found in gardens and agricultural areas if they offer sufficient stone walls, rocks, and basking spots. The species is particularly common in traditional Mediterranean cultural landscapes where humans have created a mosaic of different habitats through agriculture and livestock management. - Grassland - Woodland - Rocky Cliffs - Heathland - Farmland - Desert ## Seasonal Behavior The Montpellier snake is strictly diurnal and enjoys basking during the warmer hours in spring and autumn. During the hot Mediterranean summer, it adjusts its activity pattern and is most active early in the morning and late in the afternoon to avoid the worst heat. The species hibernates from October-November to March-April, depending on climate and elevation. Winter is spent in deep rock crevices, under large stones, in abandoned rodent burrows, or other frost-free locations. The mating season occurs in spring shortly after the snakes awaken from hibernation, and females lay eggs in June-July. The young snakes hatch in August-September and have a few weeks to feed and build up fat reserves before they too must hibernate. ## Breeding - Incubation: 60 days - Offspring: 4–18 ## Behavior & Ecology - Activity Pattern: Diurnal - Social Behavior: Strictly solitary species that only seeks out conspecifics during the spring mating season - Migration: Resident - Population: Stable population, locally common in suitable habitats throughout the Mediterranean region ## Did you know? - The Montpellier snake is Europe's longest native snake and can exceed 2.5 meters in length! - Despite being venomous, it's not dangerous to humans - its venom fangs are positioned so far back in the mouth that it can barely bite us - It can move almost as fast as a human walks briskly and is one of Europe's fastest snakes - The Montpellier snake has better eyesight than most other snakes and actively hunts visually, like a bird - It can climb trees and bushes to hunt birds and raid bird nests - When threatened, it can raise the front part of its body and hiss loudly, almost like a cobra - Young Montpellier snakes eat mainly lizards, while adult snakes also take larger prey like rats and other snakes - The species has its scientific name from the French city of Montpellier, where it was first scientifically described ## Taxonomy - Kingdom: Animalia - Class: Squamata - Order: Squamata - Family: Psammophiidae - Species: Malpolon monspessulanus ## Image - URL: https://images.djurfakta.com/animals/montpellierormen/1778126964443-1.jpg - Photo: Diego Delso - License: CC BY-SA 4.0 ## Other languages - sv: https://www.djurfakta.com/europa/reptile/montpellierormen - da: https://www.dyrefakta.com/da/europa/reptile/montpelliersnog - no: https://www.dyrefakta.com/europa/reptile/montpellierslange