Israel's National Snake

National Pride: Celebrating Israel’s Official Serpent 🐍

In 2018, for the first time in the country’s history, the Israeli Viper (Daboia palaestinae) was chosen by the Israeli public as the National Snake of Israel. This choice is not only a tribute to this impressive predator but also a testament to a deep shift in how Israeli society perceives nature and coexistence with wildlife.

How It All Began: The National Campaign

The initiative to elect a national snake was born from the vision of Avi Zobel and the "Israel’s Reptile Guardians" project. The goal was to replace fear and ignorance with knowledge and appreciation. The campaign was conducted in collaboration with Israel’s leading environmental organizations:
The Nature and Parks Authority, The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI), The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, and major national zoos.

After a nationwide vote involving thousands of participants, the Israeli Viper surpassed other candidates like the Black Whip Snake and the Coin-Marked Snake to claim the official title.

Why the Israeli Viper?

Beyond being the most well-known snake in Israel—found from Mount Hermon in the north to the Negev desert in the south—it is a symbol of resilience and efficiency:

• Endemic to our Region:
  It is unique to the Levant, with Israel being the heart of its distribution area.

• Nature’s Biological Pest Controller:
  The Viper is a critical part of the ecosystem, maintaining balance by feeding on rodents and birds that impact agriculture and residential areas. Equally important, it serves as a vital food source for various birds of prey, mammals, and other reptiles.

• Beauty and Power:
  The distinct diamond-shaped (zigzag) pattern on its back has become one of the most recognizable icons of Israeli wildlife.

National ID: Israeli Viper (Daboia palaestinae)

• Official Name: Israeli Viper / Common Viper.

• Declaration Year: 2018.

• Distinguishing Marks:

  Heavy-set body, wide triangular head, a distinct "V" mark on the head, vertical cat-like pupils, and a dark zigzag pattern along the back.

• Ecological Role:
  A top predator and vital prey in the reptile ecosystem; controls rodent and bird populations.

Our Covenant with the National Snake

As the organization that led this historic initiative, Israel’s Reptile Guardians believe the title "National Snake" carries great responsibility:

1. Respect Over Fear:
   A snake is not an enemy; it is an integral part of our landscape—even if it is venomous and dangerous.

2. Strict Protection:
   The Israeli Viper is a protected species under Israeli law. It is illegal to harm or kill it. Protecting the Viper ensures the safety of many other non-venomous snakes that are often killed due to mistaken identity.

3. Coexistence:
   In case of a close encounter at home or in the yard, always contact a licensed snake catcher to safely relocate the snake back to nature.

   The selection of the Palestine Viper as Israel's national snake received official recognition from Israel's leading nature organizations and gained significant international media attention. The global news agency JTA (Jewish Telegraphic Agency) featured an extensive report on the initiative, which was subsequently picked up by major outlets such as The Times of Israel and Jewish News. This coverage highlighted the project's impact on public awareness and the conservation of Israel’s native reptiles.
   Read the full article on JTA

"If you protect and do not kill a snake, you likely possess compassion for all wildlife." – Avi Zobel.