Zamenis longissimus
Silhouette: Beth Reinke · PhyloPic
In 3 days ~80% in a week >90%
The Aesculapian snake (Zamenis longissimus, previously Elaphe longissima) is a species of non-venomous constrictor snake native to Europe, a member of the subfamily Colubrinae of the family Colubridae. Growing up to 2 metres (6.6 ft) in length, it is among the largest European snakes, similar in size to the four-lined snake (Elaphe quatuorlineata) and the Montpellier snake (Malpolon monspessulanus). The Aesculapian snake has been of cultural and historical significance for its role in ancient Greek, Roman, and Illyrian mythology and derived symbolism.
Zamenis longissimus hatches at around 30 cm (11.8 in). Adults are usually from 110 cm (43.3 in) to 160 cm (63 in) in total length (tail included), but can grow to 200 cm (79 in), with the record size being 225 cm (7.38 ft). Expected body mass in adult Aesculapian snakes is from 350 to 890 g (0.77 to 1.96 lb). It is dark, long, slender, and typically bronzy in colour, with smooth scales that give it a metallic sheen.
Juveniles can easily be confused with juvenile grass snakes (Natrix natrix) and barred grass snakes (Natrix helvetica), because juvenile Aesculapians also have a yellow collar on the neck that may persist... Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Triglav National Park | 🇸🇮 Slovenia | |
| 2 | Cévennes National Park | 🇫🇷 France | |
| 3 | Mercantour National Park | 🇫🇷 France | |
| 4 | Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park | 🇪🇸 Spain | |
| 5 | Bavarian Forest National Park | 🇩🇪 Germany | |
| 6 | Pyrénées National Park | 🇫🇷 France | |
| 7 | Fertő-Hanság National Park | 🇭🇺 Hungary |
| # | Zoo / Centre | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Łódź Zoo | 🇵🇱 Poland | |
| 2 | Tiergarten Straubing | 🇩🇪 Germany | |
| 3 | Zagreb Zoo | 🇭🇷 Croatia | |
| 4 | Cherkasy Zoo | 🇺🇦 Ukraine | |
| 5 | Alpenzoo Innsbruck | 🇦🇹 Austria | |
| 6 | zoo delle Maitine | 🇮🇹 Italy | |
| 7 | Reptiland | 🇫🇷 France | |
| 8 | Lake Tisza Ecocentre | 🇭🇺 Hungary |
Likely
About 40% of wildlife watchers report an Aesculapian Snake sighting in Triglav National Park on a given day, based on 33 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. It is the 6th most-seen of the 11 reptiles we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 80%, and over a week to over 90%, if each day is a fresh chance.
May and June
In those months about 50% of wildlife watchers report an Aesculapian Snake in Triglav National Park on a given day, against under 5% in March and April, the lowest months.
Between 1 and 4 pm
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Aesculapian Snake sightings with a recorded time, and about 8 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.
Yes
Of the 7 parks where we can rate Aesculapian Snake sightings, Triglav National Park has the highest daily chance: about 40%. Next come Cévennes National Park (France, about 30%) and Mercantour National Park (France, about 20%).
Same family: Colubridae
The closest relatives of the Aesculapian Snake that you can see in Triglav National Park (family Colubridae, Colubrid Snakes) are grass snake (about 50%), Smooth Snake (about 40%) and Tessellated Water Snake (about 40%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Aesculapian Snake is recorded against all the reptiles logged in Triglav National Park (33 verified sightings from 2019 to 2026), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
