Caspian snake - a description where it dwells, features

Some representatives of snakes belonging to the Caspian snake species can reach rather large sizes. Suffice it to say that the length of individual specimens reaches 2.5 meters and sometimes even more. However, in most cases, the length is within 1.5 meters. In addition, such snakes have a considerable width. The snake has a dark back and a well-marked head. The belly has a coloring of light tones with yellowish shades. This species lives in the wild up to 10 years.

In Europe, these snakes are the largest in size among other similar representatives. This genus includes another representative, which is called the red-bellied snake. Habitat is South Dagestan.

Position in the classification

Caspian snakes belong to the class of reptiles, a group of snakes. These representatives are members of the family of snake-like snakes. In Latin, their name sounds like Hierophis caspius.

Habitats in nature

For its habitat, the snake prefers dry and open terrain. For wintering it chooses territories with karst craters, dips, both in rocks and soil. Often he crawls into the holes formed by rodents, settles on fallen trees.

Reproduction and nutrition

The beginning of the breeding season is April.The process begins in the middle of the month, and ends in the second half of May. Since June, females lay eggs. In one clutch there is up to 18 eggs. Their size does not exceed 45 mm. Egg laying is observed from June to July. Already by the beginning of the first autumn month the offspring appears. Snake cubs are only 235 mm long.

Reproduction occurs after a long winter. When the mating season comes, these snakes break up into pairs and stick together. Very interesting is the process of pairing. During his time, the female is held by the male by the neck with his teeth. The ability to reproduce occurs when the snake reaches the age of 4 years.

The diet does not differ a great variety. They feed mainly on lizards and birds. Sometimes there are snakes in the diet. Skid is not averse to try different rodents. From the second half of September, the snake falls into hibernation, which will continue until the very beginning of the first spring month.

Excellent hunting qualities

The snake is capable of very fast movement. If the distance is short, then it is very problematic for a person to catch up with him even if he runs a lot. The snake is able to climb well on the branches, but will never climb a tall tree.He shows his activity only when it is light. Its peak is observed in the middle of the day. If it is too hot, then the greatest manifestation of activity is observed in the morning and in the evenings.

Hunting consists in active search and pursuit of prey. With this occupation, the snake is able to cover very significant distances. It should be said that the nature of the diet of the snake leaves its imprint on its age and size. If the animal is small, then large insects and small lizards predominate in the diet. Somewhat different food from large individuals. Such representatives are already eating chicks of birds and rather large-sized lizards. Sometimes there are cases when frogs and even toads go into the food of the snake. Often the snake uses for its food snakes of other species. At the same time, it doesn’t matter to him whether a poisonous snake or not. In all likelihood, he is simply not susceptible to snake venom.

Although the snake has impressive dimensions, it often becomes the prey of various animals. They are not averse to feast on the fox and a number of feathered representatives, for example, eagles. Other four-legged animals also hunt for it. Everything in nature does not happen by chance.In accordance with the theory of natural selection, this circumstance determines that this species thrives.

At a young age, the color of the skid is significantly different from that of adult representatives. It is so different that even an experienced specialist can take this snake as a representative of another species. On young animals, on a gray background, there is a significant scatter of dark brown spots. The change of color occurs gradually as they grow older. When reaching a meter length spotting persists only in part.

Is it dangerous for humans?

This snake is not without reason one of the most aggressive representatives in comparison with other snakes, which can be found in Europe. If a man meets with such a snake, she will not even try to escape. On the contrary, she immediately takes a threatening pose. The snake begins to hiss loudly, while trying to frighten an unexpectedly appearing enemy. At the same time, she opens her mouth wide. Characteristically, the snake at the first attack attacks. Thus, she wants the enemy to retreat. When attacking, trying to bite the enemy.But his bite for a person is not terrible. It is not more dangerous than a regular scratch. However, the spectacle in which the two-meter snake attacks is worthy of admiration.

When attacking a person defends himself from this snake with a stick or stone. A large number of these representatives die under the wheels of vehicles, when a car hits him while he crawls out onto the road. In addition, many runners die under the plow at the time when virgin lands are plowed up. All this, of course, leads to a decrease in the population size. In some countries (Ukraine, Kazakhstan) this species is listed in the Red Book.

Captivity

Yellow-bellied snake is an uncompromising and aggressive inhabitant of the steppe expanses. He, like a professional boxer, is not afraid to look his opponent directly in the eye. Currently, the population of this species tends to decrease. Due to its large size, it often becomes prey to many wildlife creatures. But, fortunately, in the near future he is not threatened with complete extinction.

Video: Caspian Runner (Dolichophis caspius)