(Ahaetulla prasina)
Familie: Colubrid Snakes (Colubridae)
Orden: Squamates or Scaly Reptiles (Squamata)
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Short-nosed Whip Snake
(Ahaetulla prasina) Familie: Colubrid Snakes (Colubridae) Orden: Squamates or Scaly Reptiles (Squamata) |
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Other names: Short-nosed Vine Snake, Yellow-green Whip Snake, Oriental Whip Snake. Size: Max. 1.97 m. Distribution: Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Philippines. (Burma, Cambodia, S. China (Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Yunnan), Hong Kong, NE. India (Assam, Sikkim, West Bengal), Laos, Singapore, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam, West Malaysia, Indonesia (Anambas Islands, Bali, Bangka, Belitung, Borneo, Bunguran Islands, Butung, Java, Lombok, Mentawai Islands, Nias, Riau Islands, Sangihe, Sebuku, Simeulue, Sula Islands, Sulawesi, Sumatra, Sumbawa, Ternate, We), Philippines (Balabac, Basilan, Batan, Bohol, Busuanga, Camiguin, Cebu, Coron, Culion, Jolo, Leyte, Luzon, Mindanao, Negros, Palawan, Panay, Polillo, Samar, Sibutu). Habitat: Arboreal. Inhabits low vegetation such as shrubs and saplings often near water in forested areas up to 2100 m asl. Also found in parks and gardens of even in larger cities. Food: Mostly lizards, but also birds and frogs. Reproduction: The female gives birth to 4-10 youngs which are light brown and measure about 35 cm at birth. Activity and behaviour: Diurnal. Usually aggressive and quick to bite. When it feels threatened, it expands the neck to reveal the black and white skin between the scales. A particular and unusual habit among snakes is that it often sticks its tongue out of the mouth for a long time. Venom: Belongs to the rear-fanged snakes which possess a toxic saliva. A few species are known to have caused human fatalities, but the Whip Snakes are not among these. The venom is too weak to cause any ill effect in humans. Variation: Colour highly variable, ranging from green or blue-green to yellow, orange, grey, and brown. Status: Common. Notes: The Whip Snakes are among the snakes with the best vision. The eyes have horizontal pupils which combined with the grooves on the snout in front of the eyes give the snake the ability to look straight forward and focus on the same object with both eyes (just like humans) making it easier to assess the distance, for instance to a potential prey. References: Chan-Ard, T.; Grossmann, W.; Gumprecht, A. & Schulz, K.D. 1999. Amphibians and reptiles of Peninsular Malaysia and Thailand. An illustrated checklist. Bushmaster Publications, Würselen. 240 pp. Cox, M.J. & al. 1998. A photographic guide to snakes and other reptiles of Thailand and Southeast Asia. Asia Books, Bangkok. 144 pp. Das, I. 2002. A photographic guide to snakes and other reptiles of India. New Holland, London, etc. 144 pp. Das, I. 2006. A photographic guide to snakes and other reptiles of Borneo. New Holland, London. 144 pp. Das, I. 2007. Amphibians and reptiles of Brunei. Natural History Publications, Kota Kinabalu. 200 pp. Lim, K.K.P. & Lim; F.L.K. 1992. A guide to the amphibians and reptiles of Singapore. Singapore Science Centre, Singapore. 160 pp. Manthey, U. & Grossmann, W. 1997. Amphibien & Reptilien Südostasiens. Natur und Tier Verlag, Münster. 512 pp. Whitaker, R. & Captain, A. 2004. Snakes of India. The field guide. Draco Books, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu. 481 pp. Zhao, E.; Adler, K. 1993. Herpetology of China. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, Athens, Ohio. 522 pp. (Contributions to Herpetology no. 10). Text & layout: Rune Midtgaard |
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