Asian Racer

Hemorrhois nummifer can grow to 100 cm (39 in) in total length but is often smaller. The body is strong and fairly robustly built. It is brown, grey, or olive grey above and often has a dorsal row of about 57–65 large spots, turning into a continuous line on the tail. Smaller spots complement the larger spots on the sides. The belly is grey white.

Hemorrhois nummifer is found widely in Western and Central Asia (Turkey southward to Syria, Lebanon, northern and central Israel, Palestine, western and northwestern Jordan, and eastward to Armenia, northern Iraq, northeastern Iran, Turkmenistan, southern Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan) and also occurs in extreme southeastern Europe (Greece: the Aegean islands, including Kalymnos, Kos, and Lipsi; Cyprus). Isolated populations exist in northern Egypt (near Cairo and in the southern Sinai Peninsula).

This snake is a diurnal, actively foraging predator with a diet consisting mainly of small mammals, lizards, and small birds. It is harmless to humans but appears to mimic vipers both in appearance and behaviourally (i.e., Batesian mimicry).