Aesculapian snake

Aesculapian snake
	Adult Z. longissimus from the region of Ticino, Switzerland.
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Colubridae
Genus:	Zamenis
Species:	Z. longissimus
Binomial name
	Zamenis longissimus; (Laurenti, 1768)
Synonyms
	Natrix longissima ; Laurenti, 1768; Coluber aesculapi ; Lacépède, 1789; Elaphis aesculapii ; — A.M.C. Duméril, Bibron & ; A.H.A. Duméril, 1854; Coluber longissimus ; — Boulenger, 1894; Elaphe longissima ; — Engelmann et al., 1993; Zamenis longissimus ; — Utiger et al., 2002;

The Aesculapian snake /ˌɛskjəˈleɪpiən/ (now Zamenis longissimus, previously Elaphe longissima), is a species of nonvenomous snake native to Europe, a member of the Colubrinae subfamily 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.

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