Ladder Snake

Ladder Snake

Zamenis scalaris

Silhouette: Beth Reinke · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck
at Cévennes National Park
10 Verified sightings at Cévennes National Park From 2019 to 2026
111 Verified sightings across all 8 parks From 2019 to 2026
April Best month highest sighting rate
☀️🌙 Day & Night When it's spotted Active throughout day and night

About the Ladder Snake

The ladder snake (Zamenis scalaris) is a species of non-venomous snake in the subfamily Colubrinae of the family Colubridae. The species is native to southwestern Europe. The geographic range of the ladder snake includes Portugal, Spain, southern France and just into Italy, also Menorca and the Iles d'Hyères off Provence, but it is absent from northern Iberia including much of the Pyrenees, Galicia (although the species is found on Ons Island, in the Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park), Cantabria and the Basque Country. The population on Menorca may stem from an introduction by humans.

The ladder snake enjoys scrub bushy cover, including orchards, vineyards, hedges and overgrown dry-stone walls; it is common in the maquis. Habitats with stones and boulders and low shade are preferred. Although known at altitudes over 2,000 metres (6,600 ft), this is a species which prefers altitudes from sea level to 700 metres (2,300 ft).

The ladder snake is a medium-sized snake which reaches a maximum total length (tail included) of around 160 cm (63 in) but which averages 120 cm (47 in) in total length. It has a pointed snout. As an adult... Wikipedia →

Global Distribution

Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability
1 Sierra Nevada National Park 🇪🇸 Spain
~10%
2 Monfragüe National Park 🇪🇸 Spain
~10%
3 Sierra de Guadarrama National Park 🇪🇸 Spain
~10%
4 Cévennes National Park 🇫🇷 France
~10%
5 Pyrénées National Park 🇫🇷 France
~10%
6 Camargue 🇫🇷 France
Insufficient data
7 Aigüestortes National Park 🇪🇸 Spain
Insufficient data
8 Doñana National Park 🇪🇸 Spain
Insufficient data

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Ladder Snake in Cévennes National Park?

About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Ladder Snake sighting in Cévennes National Park, based on 10 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Ladder Snake in Cévennes National Park?

April has the highest sighting rate for Ladder Snake in Cévennes National Park in our monthly data.

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