Published December 1, 2025
| Version v1
Journal article
Open
First records of albino Aesculapian snakes (Zamenis longissimus) in Hungary
Authors/Creators
- 1. HUN-REN Balaton Limnological Research Institute, Tihany, Hungary
- 2. Institute of Ecology and Botany, National Botanic Garden, Vácrátót, Hungary
Description
Body color abnormalities can significantly affect reptile fitness, as coloration plays a key role in ecological interactions such as mate selection, predator avoidance, and protection from environmental factors. Albinism—one of the most well-known color abnormalities—is caused by the absence of melanin. In wild snake populations, albinism cases are rare. This study reports the first documented cases of albino Aesculapian snakes (Zamenis longissimus) in Hungary.
Files
Herpetozoa_article_163261.pdf
System files
(57.1 kB)
| Name | Size | |
|---|---|---|
|
md5:76700d1ce6832ce05aa1ad5bfdcc5b78
|
57.1 kB | Download |
Linked records
Additional details
References
- Agasyan A, Avci A, Tuniyev B, Crnobrnja-Isailović J, Lymberakis P, Andrén C, Cogălniceanu D, Wilkinson J, Ananjeva NB, Üzüm N, Orlov NL, Podloucky R, Tuniyev S, Kaya U, Böhme W, Ajtic R, Vogrin M, Corti C, Pérez Mellado V, Sá-Sousa P, Cheylan M, Pleguezuelos JM, Borczyk B, Schmidt BR, Meyer A (2017) Zamenis longissimus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T157266A49063773. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T157266A49063773.en [Accessed on 06 October 2025]
- Balthasar V (1935) Několik pozurohodných objektů herpetologické sbírky Slovenského vlastivědného muzea v Bratislavě. Vědy přírodní 16: 67–68.
- Borteiro C, Abegg AD, Oda FH, Cardozo D, Kolenc F, Etchandy I, Bisaiz I, Prigioni C, Baldo D (2021) Aberrant colourations in wild snakes: case study in Neotropical taxa and a review of terminology. Salamandra 57: 124–138.
- Cattaneo A (2015) The Zamenis longissimus (Laurenti) axanthic phenotype found on the Castelporziano Presidential Estate: considerations on its morphology, genetic nature and probable extinction (Serpentes: Colubridae). Rendiconti Lincei 26: 385–389. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12210-015-0384-7
- Ćurić A (2019) Albinism of Aesculapian snake Zamenis longissimus (Laurenti, 1768) in situ: first record for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Natura Sloveniae 21: 31–33. https://doi.org/10.14720/ns.21.2.31-33
- Di Toro F, Spadola F (2007) Complete albinism in a Podarcis muralis newborn. Acta Herpetologica 2: 49–51. https://doi.org/10.1400/77659
- Dutta S, Pareek PS, Singh A, Riedle D, Singh S (2022) First record of albinism in the Crowned River Turtle, Hardella thurjii, Gray, 1831 (Reptilia: Testudines, Geoemydidae). Zootaxa 5091: 197–200. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5091.1.10
- Edgar P, Bird DR (2006) Action plan for the conservation of the Aesculapian snake (Zamenis longissimus) in Europe. In: Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, T-PVS/Inf., 23 pp.
- Erber J (1879) Einen Albino der Aesculapnatter (Elaphis aesculapii). Verhandlungen der Zoologisch-Botanischen Gesellschaft in Wien 29: 39–40.
- Esterbauer H (2014) Die Äskulapnatter, Zamenis longissimus (Laurenti, 1768). Erstnachweis einer amelanistischen Farbmutation in Österreich. Ein Porträt der Äskulapnatter in Verbindung mit dem Erstnachweis einer "weißen" Farbvariante in Österreich liefert der Reptilienfachmann. ÖKO L 36: 7–11.
- Ferri V, Bettiga M (1992) Un caso di albinismo nel Colubro di Esculapio, Elaphe l. longissima (Laurenti,1768). Il Naturalista Valtellinese Atti del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Morbegno 3: 91–96.
- Gezova S, Drugac P, Purkart A, Jablonski D (2018) Albinism in two snake species recorded from Slovakia. Russian journal of Herpetology 25: 79–82. https://doi.org/10.30906/1026-2296-2018-25-1-79-82
- Krecsák L (2008) Albinism and leucism among European Viperinae: a review. Russian journal of Herpetology 15: 97–102.
- Krofel M (2004) First record of albino Aesculapian Snake (Elaphe longissima) in Slovenia. Natura Sloveniae 6: 53–56. https://doi.org/10.14720/ns.6.2.53-56
- Kurek K, Cmiel AT, Bury S, Zajac B, Najberek K, Babiasz R, Musilová R, Bas G, Najbar B (2019) What has happened to the females? Population trends in the Aesculapian snake at its northern range limit. Global Ecology and Conservation 17: 6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00550
- MME KHVSZ [Magyar Madártani Egyesület Kétéltű- és Hüllővédelmi Szakosztály] (2017) Facebook Group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/152238581474810/permalink/1503361856362469/
- Musilová R, Zavadil V, Kotlík P (2006) Albinismus užovky obojkové. Živa 5: 228–229.
- Papežíková S, Oselsky M, Papezik P, Jablonski D (2020) Albinism in Natrix tessellata (Serpentes: Natricidae). Phyllomedusa 19: 165–176. https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2316-9079.v19i2p165-176
- Paterna A (2024) The Black Aesculapian Snake Zamenis longissimus (Serpentes: Colubridae): characters and possible origin of the subgrisea morphotype. Phyllomedusa: Journal of Herpetology 23: 101–109. https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2316-9079.v23i2p101-109
- Petreanu IC (2024) A complete albino Grass snake (Natrix natrix sensu stricto) from Romania. North-Western Journal of Zoology 20: 97–98.
- Prüst E (1984) Albinism in snakes. Litteratura Serpentium 4: 6–15.
- Radovanović M (1941) Zur Kenntnis der Herpetofauna des Balkans. Zoologischer Anzeiger 136: 145–159.
- Sochurek E (1995) Die Äskulapnatter Elaphe l. longissima Laurentus 1768 - in Niderösterreich. Unsere Heimat 26: 180–182.
- Vadonleső (2021) Facebook Group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/vadonleso/permalink/5757688810971083/
- Vlašín M (2023) První nálezy bílých jedinců užovky stromové (Zamenis longissimus) v Česku. Acta Carpathica Occidentalis 14: 44–55.