European Cat Snake
Telescopus fallax
A small, secretive colubrid of the Mediterranean and Balkans, easily recognized by its vertical cat-like pupils.
- Adult length
- 0.6-1 m (2-3.3 ft)
- Range
- Southeastern Europe, the Balkans, and the Eastern Mediterranean
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Overview
The European cat snake is a small, mostly nocturnal colubrid found across the Balkans, the eastern Mediterranean, and parts of the Middle East. It is a snake native to much of southeastern Europe, named for its distinctive cat-like vertical pupils.
How to identify it
- Small to moderate size with a slender, somewhat flattened body
- Distinctive vertically elliptical (cat-like) pupils
- Base color grayish, tan, or pale brown with a series of dark brown or grayish blotches along the back, sometimes forming a broken pattern
- Head slightly distinct from neck
- Smooth scales and a relatively short tail
Habitat & range
Found in rocky, dry habitats including stone walls, cliffs, ruins, scrubland, and Mediterranean maquis. Range covers the Balkan Peninsula, several Greek and Adriatic islands, Turkey, and parts of the Levant, generally at low to moderate elevations.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Strictly nocturnal and secretive, sheltering by day in rock crevices, walls, or under debris. Feeds primarily on lizards and geckos. Oviparous, laying small clutches of a few eggs in summer.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the European cat snake live?
It is found in the Balkans, eastern Mediterranean islands, Turkey, and parts of the Levant.
What does the European cat snake eat?
It feeds mainly on lizards and geckos.
Is the European cat snake nocturnal?
Yes, it is strictly nocturnal, hiding by day in crevices and rock walls.
European Cat Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding European Cat Snake.
