Head to head
Four-lined Snake vs Aesculapian Snake
Four-lined Snake
VS Aesculapian Snake
The four-lined snake and Aesculapian snake are two large, non-venomous European rat snakes that both kill prey by constriction and both have ties to old rituals.
| Four-lined Snake | Aesculapian Snake | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Elaphe quatuorlineata | Zamenis longissimus |
| Venom | Non-venomous, and kills by constriction | Entirely non-venomous, killing its prey exclusively by constriction |
| Diet | Rodents, birds, and lizards | Mainly small mammals such as rodents, along with birds and eggs |
| Climbing | Climbs shrubs and trees to hunt for birds and eggs, as well as hunting on the ground | A skilled climber, frequently moving through low vegetation, shrubs, and even trees in search of nesting birds and eggs |
| Cultural role | One of the snakes carried in an annual religious procession in Cocullo, Italy, where a statue of a saint is draped in live snakes | Widely believed to be the snake on the Rod of Asclepius, and associated with Roman healing temples where the snakes were kept |
| Habitat | Dry, rocky scrub, open woodland, and old farmland around the Mediterranean | Forest and grassland, with some isolated populations linked to historical introductions near old Roman sites |
| Range | Italy and the Balkans east through Greece and Turkey | Parts of central and southern Europe and western Asia |
| Conservation status | Near Threatened, and decreasing | Least Concern |
Four-lined Snake vs Aesculapian Snake: common questions
Which snake is on the Rod of Asclepius?
The Aesculapian snake is widely believed to be the species referenced by the Rod of Asclepius, the symbol still used by medical organisations.
Which one takes part in the Cocullo procession?
The four-lined snake is one of the snakes carried in an annual procession in Cocullo, Italy.
Are either venomous?
No, both are non-venomous constrictors that kill their prey by wrapping coils around it and squeezing.