A diurnal very swift terrestrial species and one of our longest snakes, reaching sometimes up to 3 metres. It feeds on small mammals, lizards and grasshoppers. One of the longest snakes, reaching sometimes up to 300 cm., with a fairly well-defined but smallish head, smooth scales, fairly prominent eyes and round pupils. This is a diurnal, very swift and largely terrestrial species living in dry, open habitats, usually with some veg- etation. Often not very inclined to retreat and bites readily when handled.
Adults eat mainy small mammals.
Youngsters take a high proportion of lizards and grasshoppers. A largely biurnal species usually occuring near water. Has been rediscovered recently in some wetlands of the country. Its food consists predominantly of frogs anf fish. A rather large snake, usually up to 120 cm, often less but occasionally up to 200 cm.