Rhinechis scalaris / Elaphe scalaris

This Post is about the amazing Rhinechis scalaris or Elaphe scalaris. I found this youngster in Serra do Louro, Setúbal, Portugal. I took some photographs. What do you think?


This a quite aggressive snake. They grow up to 1,50 meters.


They live in Europe. From Portugal to the east and no further than Italy.


Its name - scalaris (which means ladder / stairs) - Ladder snake(En) - Cobra de escada(Pt) - comes from the pattern they have in their backs.

Range map

Range map source: Wikimedia Commons

Northern-portuguese stream

 When I went on my trip to the north of Portugal I found a fresh water stream. I've been walking on that stream for 4 days and, only in that small area and I found: Rana iberica, Rana perezi, Natrix Maura eating a trout, 10 other Natrix Maura, a Natrix natrix, a Lacerta schreiberi and a Bufo bufo. 

Rana iberica

Rana iberica

Natrix Maura

Natrix Maura

Natrix natrix

Lacerta schreiberi