Snakes of Europe

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. Which snake family DOES NOT occur in Europe? Elapidae Viperidae Colubridae Boidae

2. Which of these snakes is NOT venomous? Montpelier snake (Malpolon mospessulanus) viperine snake (Natrix maura) cat snake (Telescopus fallax) hooded snake (Macroprotodon cucullatus)

3. Which of these snakes lives the furthest north? Aesculapian snake (Elaphe longissima = Zamenis longissimus) smooth snake (Coronella austriaca) common adder (Vipera berus) grass snake (Natrix natrix)

4. This rather small snake lives in central and southern Europe. It became very rare and was mentioned in the Habitats Directive of the EU. It is venomous, but its venom is not strong enough to do much harm to humans. This is ... leopard snake - Elaphe situla (Zamenis situlus) meadow viper - Vipera ursinii common adder - Vipera berus Montpelier snake - Malpolon monspessulanus

5. What fact is true about the western whip snake - Coluber (Hierophis) viridiflavus? Its scientific name means "green and yellow", but some individuals are black. It is quite aggressive. It lives in Italy. All of these

6. What fact is NOT TRUE about the nose-horned viper (Vipera ammodytes)? It is the largest European snake It lives in Austria. It is considered the most dangerous snake in Europe. Its venom is hemotoxic.

7. Which fact is true about the smooth snake (Coronella austriaca)? All of these It is slightly venomous. Some individuals are quite similar to the common adder in their body pattern. It lives only in Austria.

8. Which fact is NOT true about the European grass snake (ringed snake) - Natrix natrix? Its way of defence is releasing a bad smelling substance. It can swim very well. It was regarded as sacred in Lithuania. All the facts are true.

9. Which of these species does NOT occur in Europe? Dahl's whip snake - Coluber (Platyceps) najadum Caspian whip snake - Coluber (Dolichophis) caspius corn snake - Elaphe guttata (Pantherophis guttatus) four-lined snake - Elaphe quatuorlineata

10. Which coloration CANNOT occur in the common adder (Vipera berus)? silver-grey with a black pattern completely black brick-red with a faint brownish pattern all three are possible