Cyprus Whip Snake
Hierophis cypriensis
- Near threatened
- Card rarity: Uncommon
- Reptiles
The Cyprus whip snake is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. It is endemic to Cyprus. It is not a large snake and normally grows to lengths of 70 to 90 cm. The body can be black, grey-brown, or olive-green, with a pale yellow, dirty grey, or cream belly. The top of the head is dark with small pale markings and two vertical white lines in front of and behind the eye. The front half of the body has thin white crosswise stripes that disappear towards the back, while the last third of the body and the tail are solidly dark. It is found widely in the Troodos Mountains and their foothills, most commonly at elevations of between 700 and 800 metres. It prefers cool, humid microhabitats in areas with dense scrub, bushes, or forest, especially along streams or rivers.
Classification
- Class
- Reptilia
- Order
- Squamata
- Family
- Colubridae
- Genus
- Hierophis