Whip Snake, European

(Coluber jugularis), a snake of the family of grass snakes. Length, up to 2.5 m. It is found in Europe, the Near East, and Southwest Asia (Iran); in the USSR it is known in the steppes of the European part (extending as far north as 48°-49° N lat.), the Crimea, and the Caucasus. It is diurnal and feeds on small mammals, reptiles (lizards), and large insects (Acrididae). It lays seven to 11 eggs per clutch.