The species has been of cultural and historical significance for its role in ancient Greek and Roman mythology and derived symbolism.

On the back there are large, irregular (rhombic or oval), slightly elongated transversally, dark spots.

The upper part of the head and nape in adults is uniformly dark brown or grey-brown.

It is found in southeastern Europe (Albania, southeastern Romania, Republic of Moldova, southeastern Bulgaria, northeastern Greece, southern Ukraine, European Turkey), western Levant (Syria, Lebanon, Israel), southwestern Russia (Dagestan), Caucasus (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan), southwestern Kazakhstan, northwestern Turkmenistan, and western Iran.

[2] The blotched snake is found in steppes, semi-deserts, premontane and montane meadows, on rocky slopes covered with shrubs and in riparian forests.

It finds shelter in the tunnels of gophers, gerbils and other small rodents, cracks of the soil and hollows of trees.