The Ladder Snake is aptly named because of the ladder markings on its back

Ladder snake (Elaphe scalaris) Photo by Pascal Dubois

The ladder snake (Rhinechis scalaris) is an attractive harmless snake found in Portugal, Spain, southern France and some parts of Italy. It is also found on Menorca but is thought to have been introduced there. 

The ladder snake is in a group of snakes known as “rat snakes” because they have a tendency to feed on rodents. It is also known as Elaphe scalaris, which is the genus the other rat snakes are in.

The ladder snake takes its name from the dark markings between two blackish parallel lines down its spine that look like the rungs of a ladder. 

The ladder snake is more highly coloured when young when this patterning really stands out.  These juvenile snakes are a yellowish or pale brown in colour with the ladder marking in a contrasting black. There are dark markings on the sides and belly of these snakes too but the colours fade as they grow older.

Young Ladder Snake Photo by Steve Andrews

Adult ladder snakes reach around 160 cm and are mainly a dark brown or greyish for their main colouration.

Ladder snakes can be found in a variety of habitats, including scrub-land, clearings in forests, orchards and vineyards. These reptiles also have a liking for stone walls in which they can hide and hunt their prey. They also frequent rocky ground where there are plenty of boulders.

Ladder snakes feed on mice, shrews, small rats, birds, lizards, spiders and some other insects. Young snakes take small lizards and baby rodents, and also have a liking for spiders and grasshoppers. Adult ladder snakes will hunt birds in their nests by climbing into bushes and trees. Ladder snakes are active by day and night. 

Female ladder snakes lay between four and 24 eggs. The mother snakes will remain with the baby ladder snakes for a few days.

The ladder snake is in the Colubridae family of snakes, many of which are also non-venomous. The ladder snake will bite in defence, however, and will hiss if captured.

Because the ladder snake has a very wide distribution and lives in many habitats it is not regarded as in any current danger. Its conservation status is of Least Concern. Some ladder snakes become road casualties though, and the danger of getting run over by traffic is serious threat to many other types of reptile and amphibian.

5 cleanest lakes in the world

Clean lakes are an important water resource for many reasons. They are a great attraction for tourists, a place where many activities such as fishing, swimming and sailing can be enjoyed, and a natural environment for wildlife.  They can also be used as reservoirs.

1. Lake Annecy

View of Lake Annecy (Photo: Zimmerman76)

Lake Annecy or Lac d’Annecy, as it is called in French, is the third largest lake in France and is located in the mountains of the Haute-Savoie region, of which Annecy is the capital. Lake Annecy is recognised as “Europe’s cleanest lake.”

Lake Annecy is a very popular with tourists who often take part in swimming diving, and other water sports.

Annecy is a wonderful place not just for sightseeing but for learning French and there is a French Language School established in the town.

2. Blue Lake (Tasman)

Blue Lake (Photo: Timothy Musson)

Blue Lake is the name given to a small lake in the Nelson Lakes National Park, which is part of the Southern Alps of New Zealand. Also known as Rotomairewhenua, it is the clearest freshwater lake in the whole world and is sacred to the Maori people. Swimming and diving are not allowed and use of this lake is strictly controlled.

It is drained by the western branch of the Sabine River and is usually reached from the Travers-Sabine Circuit.

3. Lake McKenzie

Lake McKenzie (Photo: Muse Lin)

Lake McKenzie is also known as Boorangoora and is located on Fraser Island in Queensland, Australia. Its sands are white and composed of silica and the water is so pure that many freshwater species cannot live in it.

Many people visit Lake McKenzie to sunbathe on its shores and enjoy its unique beauty. Camping and picnic areas are provided as well as public toilets.

4. Crater Lake

Crater Lake (Photo: Jonathan Miske)

Crater Lake in Oregon is the deepest lake in North America. It is actually a caldera lake and was formed some 7,700 years ago by the collapse of the volcano that is known today as Mount Mazama.

With no rivers going in or out of the lake, it is only filled by rain and melted snow and there is little to cause water pollution. Because of this Crater Lake has become world famous for its exceptional clarity and deep blue colour.

Old Man of the Lake at Cleetwood Cove (Photo: Greg Willis)

Crater Lake is also famous for a full-sized tree that, preserved by the coldness of the water, has been bobbing about in the waters of the lake for over a century and has now worn down to a very large stump and has affectionately become known as the “Old Man of the Lake.”

5. Arnensee

Lake Arnen (Photo: imagea.org)

The Arnensee is a lake in the Berne area of Switzerland, and is also known as Lake Arnen.  The Arnensee is used as a reservoir, but referring to the lake’s great beauty and location in the municipality of Gsteig in the Swiss mountains, it has been called the “Pearl of Saanenland.”