Eastern Montpellier Snake
Malpolon insignitus
A large rear-fanged snake — not a viper; treated as a candidate species in the checklist.
Overview
What is Eastern Montpellier Snake
The eastern Montpellier snake (Malpolon insignitus) is a large diurnal psammophiid. Tarkhnishvili et al. 2026 treat it as a candidate species in the M. monspessulanus complex: the contact zone has not been studied at population level. It is recorded in Georgia; a barcoded specimen is from Chachuna Managed Reserve. It is often confused with the Levantine viper — this species is rear-fanged, not a viper. Risk to people is usually mild, but a bite should still be treated seriously.
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Identification
How to identify Eastern Montpellier Snake
A large robust snake with prominent brows. Round pupils and rear fangs separate it from the Levantine viper.
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Prominent brows / an “angry” look.
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Round pupil — not a viper’s vertical slit.
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Rear-fanged; usually mild for humans.
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Often confused with the Levantine viper and the red-bellied racer.
Quiz
Next: which snake is it?
Eastern Montpellier Snake is in the Georgia snake quiz. Ten field photos, four names — eye practice, not field ID.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to the most important questions about Eastern Montpellier Snake.
No. Malpolon insignitus is rear-fanged, not a viper. The Levantine viper is a heavier true viper with a vertical pupil.
Site classification: Moderate. Usually mild for humans, but treat any bite seriously and call 112.
Tarkhnishvili et al. 2026 place it in the M. monspessulanus complex; the contact zone has not been studied at population level.
It is on the checklist. A barcoded specimen is from Chachuna Managed Reserve (Tarkhnishvili et al. 2026).
- Tarkhnishvili et al. 2026 — Annotated checklist of Georgia's amphibians and reptiles
- Iankoshvili & Tarkhnishvili 2021 — Georgian herpetofauna records cited in Tarkhnishvili et al. 2026
- The Reptile Database
Species profiles are compiled from peer-reviewed literature and established biodiversity databases, and are reviewed as new taxonomic and conservation data become available.
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