The Portimão PSP Environmental Protection Brigade captured yesterday, the 19th, a rat snake (Malpolon Monspessulanus), which had been «located for several days» in a private garage, «a situation that bothered the owners».
After the capture, «considering that it is an endemic species of the region and not posing a danger to the population», the rat snake was «released and returned to its natural habitat, in an area of bush and away from residential areas».
The rat snake feeds on small animals, mammals, birds and reptiles, including other snakes, but mainly on rodents, justifying its name.
It is venomous but, as it has fangs at the back of its mouth, it cannot inoculate the venom as a defense, using it only during prey swallowing. It cannot, therefore, inoculate venom in cases of accidental bites in humans.
Common name: Rateira Snake; Scientific name: Malpolon Monspessulanus; Class: Reptile/Ophidian, Order: Squamata, Family: Colubridae
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