Horseshoe whip snake

, Portugal Adults of H. hippocrepis may attain a total length, including tail, of 1.5 to 1.8 m (5 to 6 feet), with no sexual dimorphism in body size. ==Geographic range==

H. hippocrepis is found in Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia in North Africa, in southern and central Portugal, southern, eastern and central Spain, Gibraltar, southern Sardinia and Pantelleria Island in Europe. ==Habitat==

The natural habitats of H. hippocrepis are Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, rocky areas, rocky shores, sandy shores, arable land, pastureland, plantations, rural gardens, and urban areas. ==Reproduction==

H. hippocrepis is oviparous. Its reproductive cycle is seasonal, with oviposition occurring in early summer and hatching in late summer. Most sexually mature females reproduce once per year. The cycle is relatively fast, with a complete cycle including vitellogenesis, ovulation, shelling and oviposition lasting approximately two months. A 1999 study found the mean clutch size to be 6.8 eggs and a positive correlation between fertility and female body size. ==Subspecies==

Two subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies. • Hemorrhois hippocrepis hippocrepis • Hemorrhois hippocrepis nigrescens Pantelleria Nota bene: A trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Hemorrhois. ==Conservation status==

The horseshoe whip snake is assessed as being of "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in its Red List of Threatened Species. Its population trend is thought to be steady, and it is able to adapt to modified habitats. Threats it faces include being run over by traffic, poisoned by agricultural chemicals and being captured for use by local snake charmers. ==See also==