Malpolon monspessulanus, commonly known as the Montpellier snake or cobra-rateira in Portugal, is the largest snake species in the Iberian Peninsula and one of the largest in Europe. Adults can exceed 2 metres in length, although most individuals are smaller.
This species is widely distributed across the Mediterranean region, including Portugal, Spain, southern France and parts of North Africa.
Despite being technically venomous, it is considered harmless to humans, as its venomous fangs are located at the back of the mouth and rarely cause envenomation during defensive bites.
The Montpellier snake typically inhabits dry, sunny environments, including rocky areas, shrubland, open woodland and rural landscapes.
In landscapes such as Vale do Lourêdo, the mixture of stone walls, forest edges, fields and sunny slopes creates suitable habitats where this reptile can hunt and bask.
Because it is a diurnal species, it is often seen moving or sunbathing during the warmest hours of the day.
This snake has a long, slender and muscular body with a distinctive elongated head and large eyes. The scales are typically olive-brown or greyish, sometimes with darker markings along the body.
One of the most recognisable features is the prominent supra-ocular scales above the eyes, which give the snake a characteristic “stern” or “angry” expression.
Males are usually larger than females, and exceptional individuals can reach lengths of more than 2.5 metres.
The Montpellier snake is an active daytime hunter. It feeds mainly on lizards, rodents, birds and occasionally other snakes, making it an important predator in Mediterranean ecosystems.
Young individuals often feed primarily on insects and small reptiles, while adults can prey on larger animals such as rodents or small mammals.
When threatened, the snake may raise the front part of its body and produce a loud hiss to intimidate predators.
As a predator of rodents and other small animals, Malpolon monspessulanus helps maintain ecological balance in rural and natural landscapes.
By regulating populations of small mammals and reptiles, it contributes to the stability of Mediterranean ecosystems and plays a role in controlling agricultural pests.