Diadem Snake

The Diadem Snake, commonly known as the Royal Snake (Spalerosophis diadema), is a distinguished member of the Colubrinae subfamily within the Colubridae family. This notable species is distributed across a broad region that includes parts of Asia and Northern Africa, specifically in countries such as Algeria, Afghanistan, Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkey, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

There are three recognized subspecies of the Diadem Snake:

1. Spalerosophis diadema cliffordi

2. Spalerosophis diadema diadema

3. Spalerosophis diadema schiraziana

The subspecific name "cliffordi" honors M. Clifford Cocq van Breugel, presumed to refer to Jacques Fabrice Herman Clifford Kocq van Breugel.

In terms of physical characteristics, the Diadem Snake can grow up to 1.8 meters in length, with its tail accounting for approximately 34 cm of that length. Its dorsal side is typically a pale buff or sandy gray, adorned with dark blotches and spots, while its ventral side is generally a uniform white, occasionally marked with blackish spots.