The Snake Most Likely To Bite You (Albeit Only In Self-Defense): The Green Whip Snake
- Lacerta Bilineata
- Apr 12
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 23
The most "aggressive" snake species in Europe - in the sense that it is more likely to bite or attack humans compared to other species if one gets too close - is arguably the green whip snake or western whip snake (Hierophis viridiflavus). This large colubrid can in rare cases reach lengths of up to two meters and will not hesitate to defend itself against a human if it feels threatened - that's the bad news.
The good news is that this snake is completely harmless, extremely shy and actually very beautiful (there's also the melanistic - i.e. black - subspecies Hierophis viridiflavus carbonarius). And most importantly: snake bites in general are extremely rare in Europe, and so when I say this particular snake is more likely to bite you than others, we're still talking about very, very few such incidences - most of them undoubtedly provoked by humans. Our indigenous snakes only bite humans in self-defense, and the same is true for the green whip snake.
Some of the species' rear teeth appear to be slightly venomous, as has only very recently been discovered (which is probably why green whip snakes "chew" on whatever they bite in order to get those rear teeth into their victim or foe), but the venom is not dangerous for humans. In fact, a bite is in most cases not even painful due to the snakes minuscule teeth and relatively weak bite force. Attacks on humans occur either when the snake is surprised and it feels the human is already too close for flight to make sense, or when it is cornered and literally can't get away.
What makes the snake the most "aggressive" in Europe (and I put the word in quotation marks because no European snake species can rightfully be called aggressive), is a rather fascinating character trait. Unlike most other snake species in Europe that will only attack you if you get really close and practically within touching distance (and oftentimes not even then), some green whip snakes - particularly big individuals - might decide even a distance of two meters is already too close to attempt flight, and that it's time to make a stand.
Such an encounter can be quite scary, because the snake will hiss loudly and get into an upright position to appear bigger, but as mentioned before, it poses no actual danger to humans, and if you quickly retreat and give it a chance to flee, it will much rather do that and avoid confrontation. Despite its slightly cantankerous character, you should count yourself lucky if you see one, because this reptile will normally sense your approach (due to the vibrations you cause in the ground) and hide long before you have a chance to spot it.
It's the fastest snake in Europe - it can reach a speed of 11 Km/h - which makes it an incredibly agile hunter, and it can also climb very well. Its preferred diet consists of lizards, but it will also prey on other small vertebrates such a birds, rodents and amphibians (and in rare cases even fish). The species occurs in Andorra, Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Slovenia, Spain, Luxembourg and Switzerland.
The photos above and below have all been taken in my garden in Ticino, Switzerland. I consider myself fortunate that this beautiful animal visits my garden every now and then, and I do everything to make reptiles feel welcome in it (also read: https://www.lacerta-bilineata.com/post/attract-lizards-to-your-garden). It is important to be aware that most reptiles species are threatened in Europe, because we humans destroy their habitats.
In case you're interested, you'll find my best nature photos here
Comments