Eastern Montpellier snake (Malpolon insignitus), poisonous snake - stock photo

Photo of a wild living eastern Montpellier snake (Malpolon insignitus) is a species of mildly venomous rear-fanged serpent. It usually has 19 dorsal scale rows on its mid-body, but males lack a dark 'saddle'. It often has narrow, pale longitudinal stripes. The lizard snakes are large and slender. Adult males usually measure between 130 and 150 cm, females between 90 and 110 cm. The head is slender, but quite high; it seems angular and hardly settles from the body seen from above. The eyes are large and have a round pupil. The scales are smooth or - especially on the back - slightly concave, giving the snake a dull appearance. The species has 17 to 19 dorsal scale rows around the middle of the body. The forehead shield (frontal) is very narrow, mostly eight, rarely nine, upper lip shields (Supralabialia) are present, two bridle shields (Lorealia), one pre-eye shield (Praeoculare) as well as two to three rear eye shields (Postocularia). The basic coloration is in different shades of grey and grey-brown to olive or grauoliv. The stomach is gray-white until yellowish and dark spotted. The type shows a clear Geschlechtsdimorphismus: The males are significantly larger, more massive and have a completely different pattern. The lizard snakes have extended fangs in the posterior area of the upper jaw, which are furrowed at the edge and connected to a poison gland.