the colouration is grey, brown or olive green with a very boldly marked black zig zag pattern on the back which is completely joined up and solid. It has a rounded nose and eyes with vertically slit pupils.
It is found at altitudes of 900 to 2200 metres. In France it is only in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. It is extremely rare and in danger of extinction in the only three EU countries where it is present, France, Italy and Greece with IUCN red listing. It prefers open rocky habitats with some shrubby growth and sparse grasslands/pasture, very sensitive to disturbance and human activity. Most studies conclude that it is not aggressive and rarely bites humans, 9 times out of 10 if it does “strike” it keeps its mouth closed. When approached by humans it chooses either to remain completely still or flee slowly and silently.
