New record on the occurance of Dolichophis caspius (Reptilia: Colubridae) in Romanian Moldavia

Dolichophis caspius is a common snake species in Dobrudja (Tulcea and Constanta counties) and in some areas from south-western Romania (Banat region). However, this species has only been cited in 2 localities in the eastern part of Romania (Moldavia) and has not been recorded since 1937. In the Romanian red data book of vertebrates, the Moldavian populations of Dolichophis caspius are listed as extinct. The present paper provides evidence that the large whip snake still occurs in the Romanian Moldavia by way of 3 live specimens observed in Gala i county in may 2007.