Long-nosed Whipsnake

Ahaetulla nasuta

Description 3

INTRODUCTION

  • Mildy Venomous
  • Other names : Green vine snake, Common vine snake.
  • Asian Long-nosed Whipsnakes found throughout India and SE Asia.
  • Rear-fanged and venom usually not medically significant causing mild swelling.

IDENTIFICATION

  • Very thin & long body with bright leafy green dorsal and yellowish belly.
  • Characteristic arrow like head with pointed snout and oval eyes with horizontal pupils.
  • Have bright interscale colors displayed when neck inflated. Grows to 4 feet on average.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT

  • Very common throughout India.
  • Usually found on trees, dense bushes at low heights.
  • Difficult to spot due to excellent camouflage and ability to stay still.

DIET AND BEHAVIOR

  • Mainly feed on frogs, lizards, small birds, mice and other snakes too.
  • Diurnal and arboreal, rely on vision to hunt prey. Locomotion fast on trees.
  • When threatened, usually tries to escape. Otherwise inflate neck, open mouth and display interscale colors.
  • If harasses, strikes fast at face and bites in a chew manner. Bites usually not medically significant.

Other Vine Snakes 3

5 other species of Asian vine snakes (Ahaetulla) found in India while 3 others found in peninsular India.

  • Brown Specked Vine Snake (Ahaetulla pulverulenta) : Forests of EG & WG. Twig-like apperance.
  • Gunther's Vine Snake (Ahaetulla dispar) : Endemic to WG. Relatively less pointed snout.
  • Bronzeheaded Vine Snake (Ahaetulla perroteti) : Endemic to WG. Larger head than other vine snakes.

Sources and Credits

  1. (c) Amila P Sumanapala, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Amila P Sumanapala
  2. (c) Vinay Gogula, all rights reserved, uploaded by Vinay Gogula
  3. (c) Vinay Gogula, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

More Info

iNat Map

Found Common
Toxicity Mildly-Venomous