---
title: "Aesculapian Snake"
description: "Zamenis longissimus — Reptiles. The Aesculapian snake (Zamenis longissimus, previously Elaphe longissima) is a species of non-venomous constrictor snake native to Europe, a member of the subfamily Colubrinae of the family Colubridae."
canonical: https://animalchecklist.com/animal/aesculapian-snake
last_updated: 2026-09-20
---

# Aesculapian Snake

> Zamenis longissimus — Reptiles. The Aesculapian snake  (Zamenis longissimus, previously Elaphe longissima) is a species of non-venomous constrictor snake native to Europe, a member of the subfamily Colubrinae of the family Colubridae.

- Scientific name: *Zamenis longissimus*
- Category: `reptiles` (Reptiles)
- Habitats: `forest` (Forest)
- iNaturalist observations: 11245
- Wikidata: [Q256791](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q256791)
- iNaturalist taxon: [74009](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/74009)

## Names

- en: Aesculapian Snake
- de: Äskulapnatter
- es: Culebra de Esculapio
- fr: Couleuvre d'Esculape
- nl: Esculaapslang
- pl: Wąż Eskulapa

## Countries with the most observations

IT (2788), AT (2652), FR (1940), HU (430), HR (369), SK (252), CZ (241), DE (236), ES (236), SI (198), RO (168), CH (158)

## Summary

The Aesculapian snake  (Zamenis longissimus, previously Elaphe longissima) is a species of non-venomous constrictor snake native to Europe, a member of the subfamily Colubrinae of the family Colubridae. Growing up to 2 metres (6.6 ft) in length, it is among the largest European snakes, similar in size to the four-lined snake (Elaphe quatuorlineata) and the Montpellier snake (Malpolon monspessulanus). The Aesculapian snake has been of cultural and historical significance for its role in ancient Greek, Roman, and Illyrian mythology and derived symbolism.

Text: Wikipedia (en), CC BY-SA 4.0 — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aesculapian_snake

## Photo

![Aesculapian Snake](https://animalchecklist.com/img/animals/aesculapian-snake/medium.jpg)

Photo: Zoltán Stekkelpak · CC0 · inaturalist — https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/397818437

## Machine access

`GET https://animalchecklist.com/api/v1/animals/aesculapian-snake?lang=en` — see [openapi.json](https://animalchecklist.com/openapi.json).