Friday, March 19, 2010

Green vine snake

Came across this snake in a tree while I was taking photos of Hoya vines.

Ahaetulla nasuta, also known as whip snake or green vine snake as it resembles a vine. It's an arboreal species which feeds on frogs, geckos etc. When disturbed, the snake will display characteristic black and white markings along the length of its body as a threat display (as seen in these photos). It will also raise ...its head in a ready-to-strike position.

 

Generally a non aggressive species, its venom causes only pain and minor swelling. But don't go pulling one out of a tree! This one is a small one, measuring only about 3 ft long.

 

green_vine_snake_ahaetulla_1

 green_vine_snake_ahaetulla_2

 green_vine_snake_ahaetulla_3

 

 green_vine_snake_ahaetulla_4