Italian Aesculapian snake

The Italian Aesculapian snake (Zamenis lineatus) is a species of snake in the Colubridae family.

Geographic range
Z. lineatus is endemic to southern Italy and Sicily. The northern limit of its geographical range is the Province of Caserta in the west and the Province of Foggia in the east. It is absent from the Salentine Peninsula (Salento), which is the "heel" of the "boot" of Italy.

The type locality is Naples.

Description
The Italian Aesculapian snake is a medium to large snake that reaches a maximum total length (including tail) of 2 m. Dorsally, it is yellowish brown and may have four dark brown stripes. If present, the stripes are of equal width and equidistant. The dorsal scales are smooth. The iris of the eye is red, giving it the common name in Italian of saettone occhirossi (red-eyed racer).

Habitat
The natural habitats of Z. lineatus are temperate forests, temperate shrubland, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, arable land, pastureland, rural gardens, and urban areas, at altitudes from sea level to 1,600 m.

Behavior
Z. lineatus is partly arboreal.

Diet
The Italian Aesculapian snake feeds on lizards, small mammals, and eggs.

Reproduction
Z. lineatus is oviparous.