Snakes of Greece

Over years of exploring the diverse biomes of Greece—from the alpine meadows of the northern mainland to the isolated rocky shorelines of the Cyclades and Dodecanese—I have had the privilege of tracking down and photographing every single one of the country’s 23 native snake species.

This page compiles those encounters into a dedicated reference guide. Whether you are searching for the master of camouflage, the Cat snake on a drystone wall at night, watching a Milos Viper patiently ambushing migratory birds near a spring, or admiring the impressive size of a Four-lined snake climbing an ancient olive tree, Greece never fails to deliver for the field naturalist.

Trip reports from Greece

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All photos (2004-2026) are © Matt Wilson

⚠️ A Quick Note on Safety: The Truth About Greece’s Vipers

If you are planning a trip or have just encountered a snake in Greece, the most important thing to know is that out of Greece’s 23 native species, only the 5 true vipers (Viperidae) possess venom that is medically significant to humans. These animals are fundamentally non-aggressive, and bites only occur if a snake is accidentally stepped on or harassed.

Scientific name	Common name	Distribution	Standout features
*Vipera ammodytes*	Nose-horned Viper	Widespread across the entire mainland (also Thassos island), Ionian islands (Corfu, Lefkas, Kalamos, Kefalonia, Ithaki), and most of the Cyclades (Andros, Tinos, Syros, Mykonos, Delos, Rhinia, Naxos, Paros, Antiparos, Despotiko, Strongyli, Iraklia, Epano Koufonissi, Ios, and Sikinos). Also the Sporades islands of Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos, Peristera, Adelfia)	Distinct, soft fleshy “horn” on the tip of the snout. Prominent dark zig-zag or diamond dorsal pattern.
*Macrovipera lebetina schweizeri*	Milos Viper	Restricted entirely to the Western Cyclades: Milos, Kimolos, Sifnos, and Polyiegos.	Large, heavily robust body with a blunt head. Distinctly lacks a nose horn. Frequently found near water/streams.
*Montivipera xanthina*	Ottoman Viper	East Aegean islands close to Turkey (Symi, Kos, Kalymnos, Leros, Lipsi, Patmos, Fourni, Samos, Chios and Lesvos) and parts of northeastern Greece (Thrace).	Large, striking viper with a distinct dark wavy/zig-zag dorsal pattern on a light gray background. Smooth snout with no horn.
*Vipera ursinii*	Meadow Viper	Fragmented populations restricted to high-altitude alpine meadows in the Pindos mountain ranges.	Greece’s smallest viper. Lacks a nose horn. Feeds primarily on crickets and grasshoppers in mountain pastures.
*Vipera berus*	Adder	Confined strictly to the high-altitude, cold mountain regions along northern border zones.	Robust build, distinct dark zig-zag pattern, and often features a characteristic X or V-shaped marking on the back of the head.