Western whip snake
The green whip snake or western whip snake (Hierophis viridiflavus ) is a species of snake in the family Colubridae.
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DiurnalDiurnal animals are active during the daytime, with a period of sleeping or other inactivity at night. The timing of activity by an animal depends ...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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PredatorPredators are animals that kill and eat other organisms, their prey. Predators may actively search for or pursue prey or wait for it, often conceal...
Oviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
Precocial species are those in which the young are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of birth or hatching. Precocial species are normall...
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Generally solitaryGenerally solitary animals are those animals that spend their time separately but will gather at foraging areas or sleep in the same location or sh...
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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HibernatingHibernation is a state of minimal activity and metabolic depression undergone by some animal species. Hibernation is a seasonal heterothermy charac...
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starts withThe Green whip snake is a slender non-venomous snake with a small but well-defined head, prominent eyes with circular pupils, and smooth scales. The background color is greenish-yellow but this is mostly obscured by heavy, somewhat irregular bands of dark green or black, particularly in the front half of the snake. The underparts are grey or yellowish and the tail has narrow longitudinal stripes. The young are a greyish color and develop their full adult coloring by about their fourth year. There is a larger, up to two meters long, often pure black variant of the Green whip snake found in Italy and Malta; it is referred to there as 'Il Biacco'.
Green whip snakes are found in Andorra, Croatia, France, Italy, Malta, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, and possibly Greece and Luxembourg. They inhabit temperate forests and shrubland, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, arable land, pastureland, plantations, rural gardens, and urban areas.
Green whip snakes are agile fast-moving creatures. They are largely terrestrial but may also climb vegetation. Green whip snakes prefer to spend time on their own and hunt by day. When cornered they become quite aggressive and may bite furiously. During cold months of the year, they hibernate in underground burrows or cavities, in or under trees and stumps, or in abandoned buildings, often in groups.
Commonly regarded as non-venomous, it is described that a subject who endured 'sustained biting' of up to 5 minutes began showing suspect symptoms, including problems with neuromotor skills. It is described that a gland called the Duvernoy's gland, maybe similar to the venom gland, has some responsibility.
Green whip snakes are carnivores and mainly feed on lizards, skinks, frogs, mice, as well as on the young and eggs of small birds.
Green whip snakes breed in May soon after emerging after hibernation. Females lay 4 to 15 eggs in holes on the ground, in rotting vegetation, or under stones, logs, or tree stumps. The young hatch 6-8 weeks later and measure 20-25 centimeters in length.
Green whip snakes have a wide distribution and are very common within that range. They do not face significant threats, apart from roadkill and persecution.
According to IUCN, the Green whip snake is widespread throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.