A harmless European water snake that mimics the adder's zig-zag pattern as a defence against predators.
Description
The viperine snake is a stout, dark olive-grey to brown water snake under a metre long, marked along the back with a dark zig-zag stripe and along the flanks with rows of dark spots. The pattern closely resembles a viper at a glance and gives the species its common name.
Behavior
A harmless natricine snake, the viperine spends most of its time hunting fish and amphibians in shallow water. When threatened it hisses, flattens the head, and may release foul musk, but it rarely bites. The viper-like display is enough to deter most curious predators.
Range
Found throughout the western Mediterranean from the Iberian Peninsula and northwestern Italy to the Balearic Islands and adjacent parts of northwest Africa. Habitat loss to drained wetlands has caused local declines in many areas.