Overview
Eastern Montpellier Snake in Georgia
The eastern Montpellier snake (Malpolon insignitus) is a large rear-fanged diurnal snake of dry south-eastern Georgia — not a viper. The 2026 Georgian checklist includes it but treats full species rank as a candidate: it belongs to the M. monspessulanus complex. A named barcoded specimen is from Chachuna Managed Reserve (Kakheti). The 2021 Georgian snake survey places it only in south-eastern semi-arid country — do not look for it across the whole country. Risk to people is usually milder than a viper bite, but any bite should be treated seriously. IUCN lists it globally as Least Concern; the 2014 Georgian Red List still uses the older name Malpolon monspessulanus and rates it Vulnerable (VU).
Last updated
Gallery
Eastern Montpellier Snake in photos
Photo: Ioane Rostiashvili
Photo: michelemenegon · iNaturalist
Photo: Manuel Raab · iNaturalist
Photo: Gert Jan Verspui · iNaturalist
Identification
How to identify Eastern Montpellier Snake
A large, fast diurnal snake with raised brows and a round pupil. Head shape, pupil, and rear fangs separate it from the Levantine viper — it is not a viper.
The body is slender but firm; the head is narrow and elongated. Scales above the eye are raised and give an “angry” look. The pupil is round — not a viper’s vertical slit. Dorsal scales are smooth, often 17–19 rows at mid-body. Do not pick the snake up to count scales.
Ground colour is olive, grey, or brownish. Males often have a more even back and narrow pale lines; females are more spotted or chequered. Males of this species usually lack the dark “saddle” of western M. monspessulanus. The belly is pale. Juveniles are more spotted. Sexual differences have not been measured separately in Georgia — these are species-level marks.
The Levantine viper (Macrovipera lebetinus) is heavier, with a broad triangular head, a vertical pupil, and keeled scales — a medically significant viper. The red-bellied racer (Dolichophis schmidti) is non-venomous, lacks raised brows, and as an adult often has a red or orange belly. The spotted whip snake (Hemorrhois ravergieri) has rhombic blotches along the back and no raised brow.
If you see a slender snake with a vertical pupil, it is a viper, not this species. Large harmless racers are fast but lack the Malpolon brow.
The 2026 Georgian checklist includes it but treats full species rank as a candidate: it belongs to the M. monspessulanus complex. A named barcoded specimen is from Chachuna Managed Reserve (Kakheti). The 2021 Georgian snake survey places it only in south-eastern semi-arid country — do not look for it across the whole country.
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.
Biology
Habitat, diet, behavior, and conservation
Habitat and range
In Georgia you may meet it in dry open country of the south-east: steppe, semi-desert, stony slopes, and sparse dry scrub. The named modern locality is Chachuna Managed Reserve on the Iori plateau in Kakheti. The 2021 survey groups it with the Levantine viper and the Urartian ratsnake — species of south-eastern semi-arid landscapes only. Do not look for it in western Georgia, Colchis forest, or the high mountains. This atlas map shows Kakheti and does not mean the species is evenly present across that region. This page has no named modern locality in other administrative regions. Species-level literature often cites about 0–1,400 m; a Georgia-only elevation range has not been published here. The wider range runs from the eastern Mediterranean and North Africa into the Caucasus; the type locality is Egypt, not Georgia.
Diet
There is no separate Georgian diet study. The Georgian name reflects hunting lizards. Elsewhere in the range it mainly takes lizards; it also eats other snakes, small mammals, and birds. Rear fangs help subdue prey; they are not for attacking people. The Georgian menu has not been measured directly.
Behavior
It hunts by day. The 2021 Georgian review treats most snakes, including this group, as diurnal — more often early morning and before sunset. An hourly calendar for Georgia has not been published; expect the warm season in dry open country. It is fast and has well-developed vision. It usually flees. If cornered it may raise the front of the body, inflate, and hiss — a defensive display, not kinship with cobras. It lays eggs. Mating season and clutch size in Georgia have not been published here.
Conservation
The 2021 IUCN Red List assessment rates it globally as Least Concern — the range is wide. The 2014 Georgian Red List includes it under the older name Malpolon monspessulanus as Vulnerable (VU), criterion B2a — a small fragmented range. The national list has not been updated to the name M. insignitus; it still refers to the same Georgian population in practice. “Candidate” in the 2026 checklist is a taxonomic note, not a conservation category. Distribution confidence in that checklist is medium. Local threats include conversion of dry habitat, roadkill, and killing after confusion with the Levantine viper. Do not handle it.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to the most important questions about Eastern Montpellier Snake.
Yes. The 2026 checklist includes it. A named barcoded specimen is from Chachuna Managed Reserve. It does not occur across the whole country.
Only in south-eastern semi-arid open country. The named modern locality is in Kakheti, around Chachuna. Do not look for it in the west, in Colchis forest, or in the high mountains. This page has no named locality in other regions.
It is rear-fanged, not a viper. This atlas rates it moderate risk. A bite is usually local and milder than a viper bite, but treat it seriously — call 112. Do not handle it. A vertical pupil points to a Levantine viper or another viper.
This species has a round pupil, a narrow head, and raised brows; the scales are smooth. The Levantine viper is heavy-bodied, with a broad triangular head, a vertical pupil, and keeled scales. If unsure, keep your distance.
Species-level literature often cites males around 1.5–2 m. The 2021 Georgian review, following Bannikov et al. 1977, groups it with medium snakes (maximum body length 70–120 cm). A Georgia-only measured maximum is not on this page.
Diet has not been studied separately in Georgia. The name reflects lizard hunting. Elsewhere it mainly takes lizards; it also eats other snakes, small mammals, and birds.
It is a day-active snake. An hourly calendar for Georgia has not been published; expect the warm season in dry open country, more often in the morning and towards evening. It lays eggs; Georgian clutch size is not given here.
Watch from a distance, take a photo, and leave it. Do not pick it up. If the pupil is vertical or the head is broad and triangular, it may be a Levantine viper — walk away. After a bite, call 112.
References
Sources
References
Sources
- Tarkhnishvili et al. 2026 — Annotated checklist of Georgia's amphibians and reptiles
- Iankoshvili & Tarkhnishvili 2021 — Distribution of snakes in Georgia
- Carranza, Arnold & Pleguezuelos 2006 — phylogeny of Malpolon
- Aghasyan et al. 2021 — IUCN Red List account for Malpolon insignitus
- Weinstein et al. 2024 — local envenoming by Malpolon insignitus fuscus
- Dibiasi & Lüddecke 2023 — first documented envenomation by M. insignitus
- საქართველოს მთავრობის დადგენილება №190 (2014) — წითელი ნუსხა
- The Reptile Database
- Muskhelishvili 1970 — Presmykajushchiesya vostochnoi Gruzii
- Bannikov et al. 1977 — cited for size class in Iankoshvili & Tarkhnishvili 2021
Species profiles are compiled from peer-reviewed literature and established biodiversity databases, and are reviewed as new taxonomic and conservation data become available.
Related guides
Continue with related pages
Venomous snakes in Georgia
Giurza, vipers, and one rear-fanged species — risk and full profiles.
Venomous snakesCatalogSnake species
Every snake in one table — name, venom, range, and size when a source exists.
IndexQuizWhich snake is it?
A photo, four options, instant feedback — identify Georgia’s snakes with no account.
Start the quizIDVenomous or not
Visual cues and lookalikes — no rule is universal.
ID guide
