It is found in Italy, Greece (including the Greek islands) and most of the Balkan countries (specifically in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia) where its natural habitats are Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, pastureland, plantations and rural gardens.

The head and front of the body are olive-grey or yellowish-brown with dark spots separated by paler areas which may form irregular bars.

[2]The Balkan whip snake is found in extreme northeastern Italy, the former Yugoslavia, Albania and mainland Greece as well as many offshore islands.

Its typical habitat is stony areas, scree, scrub, open woodland, road banks and ruins.

It is fast and agile and feeds on lizards, large insects such as grasshoppers, nestling birds, and small mammals.