Belica (Hierophis gemonensis) is a rare, harmless, and extremely fast snake from the colubrid family that inhabits dry, sunny, and rocky areas of the Primorska region in Slovenia. Adult specimens are slender and usually reach a length of up to 100 cm, exceptionally up to 130 cm. Their body is olive-brown or grayish in color, adorned with characteristic dark spots that often fade into lines towards the tail. The head is clearly pronounced, and the eyes with round pupils give it a friendly appearance.
It is most commonly encountered on scree slopes, along dry stone walls, karst scrublands, and edges of light forests, where it moves skillfully both on the ground and low shrubbery. It is a distinctly diurnal animal; it often spends mornings in the sun to raise its body temperature, while during the hottest heat it prefers to retreat to the shade. It feeds primarily on lizards, larger insects (e.g., grasshoppers), and small mammals.
For hikers, an encounter with it is a true rarity, as the belica is very shy and flees lightning-fast at the slightest sign of danger. Since it reaches the northern edge of its distribution here, it is listed on the red list of protected species. If you spot it, it is best to observe it from a distance, as it is one of our most valuable reptiles in the Slovenian area.
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