Thomas Rabeil / Malpolon / False Cobra (Malpolon moilensis) expanding its hood in a defensive display. Termit Massif, Niger, Africa.

Luis Quinta / Juvenile male Montpellier snake (Malpolon monspessulanus) Alentejo, Portugal

Luis Quinta / Juvenile male Montpellier snake (Malpolon monspessulanus) coiled, Alentejo, Portugal

Wild Wonders of Europe / Ziegler / Montpellier snake (Malpolon monspessulanus) shortly before shedding its skin, The Peloponnese, Greece, May 2009

Wild Wonders of Europe / Ziegler / Montpellier snake (Malpolon monspessulanus) shortly before shedding its skin, The Peloponnese, Greece, May 2009

Robert Valentic / Montpellier snake (Malpolon monspessulanis insignitus) juvenile basking in the morning along an old wall in a field, Dadia Forest, Greece, August. Controlled conditions.

Pedro Narra / Montpellier snake (Malpolon monspessulanus) on sand in evening light. Sado Estuary Natural Reserve, Portugal. June

Fabio Pupin / Montpellier snake, (Malpolon monspessulanus), juvenile in habitat, Spain, September . Non-ex.

Fabio Pupin / Montpellier snake, (Malpolon monspessulanus), in habitat, Spain, September . Non-ex.

Fabio Pupin / Montpellier snake, (Malpolon monspessulanus), Croatia, May . Non-ex.

David Pattyn / Western Montpellier Snake (Malpolon insignitus), Kresna gorge, South West Bulgaria, April

Pedro Narra / Montpellier snake (Malpolon monspessulanus) Sado Estuary, Portugal. September