Levant Rat Snake

The newly described snake, Elaphe druzei, is a large, non-venomous colubrid, reaching a maximum total length (tail included) of approximately 1.5 m (4.9 ft), and an averaging total length of approximately 1 m (3.3 ft). It features very dark coloration and strongly keeled dorsal scales, traits that distinguish it from its closest relatives in the Elaphe (rat snake) group. The holotype is a female collected near Majdal Shams on Mt. Hermon at approximately 1,300 m (4,300 ft) elevation, currently preserved at the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History (TAU-R 19438).

Elaphe druzei is endemic to the high-elevation mountains of the Southern Levant, including Mt. Hermon, with an estimated extent of occurrence of approximately 3,000 km² (1,158 sq mi). Its known geographic range spans regions within Israel, Lebanon, and Syria, isolated from other Elaphe populations by a gap of over 400 km (250 mi). Fossil and subfossil remains in the Hula Valley and Mt. Carmel indicate prior presence during the Pleistocene and Natufian (~12,000 years ago) periods.

Elaphe druzei is non-venomous, non-aggressive, and generally cryptic. It is considered extremely rare and one of the Western Palearctic’s rarest snakes. Threats include land-use change, tourism development (e.g., ski resort on Mt. Hermon), habitat degradation due to military activity, climate change, and persecution. It likely qualifies as Endangered (IUCN criteria B1 & B2), based on limited range, fragmented habitat, and ongoing decline. In Israel, it is legally protected and largely confined to a nature reserve; no formal protection exists within Lebanon or Syria.

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