New data on the presence of the Blotched snake (Elaphe sauromates Pallas, 1814) in the region of Shumen town (Bulgaria), with emphasis on the negative human attitude toward the species

Abstract In the present study, we report on new localities in Northeastern Bulgaria, where Elaphe sauromates (Pallas, 1814) was recently detected. We registered five Blotched snakes in the region of Shumen town in the period 2018 - 2022. All of the snakes were adults, three were killed by tools impacts and two of them were road kills. To date, the Blotched snake was registered extremely rare and in rather long intervals (of several decades) in the region of Shumen. Our findings indicate that the species currently inhabits the suburban and urban territories near the villages of Ivanski, Radko Dimitrievo and Konyovets. Two of the locations are new for the 10 km grid-system used for standard monitoring of the biodiversity in Bulgaria.