animal Stories

AGENCIES

Long nosed whip snakes are easily identified by their long, pointed nose and long tail. They are also known as green vine snakes or green whip snakes. They are mildly venomous and are commonly termed as ‘rear-fanged’. They have enlarged teeth or fangs intended to aid in venom delivery and are located in the back of the upper jaw, instead of in the front as they are in vipers or

cobras.

These snakes are considered to be semi-venomous and there is little risk to most humans from their bite. The amount of poison injected by a single bite may be enough to kill their prey.

There is a widespread myth in parts of southern India that the species uses its pointed head to blind its human

victims.

Characteristics

Long nosed whip snakes are bright green to rusty brown in colour. They have long, extremely slender body and long tail. Their head is longer than that of most snakes, coming to a sharp point at the nose and mouth. The elongated head is shaped like an arrowhead. The eyes are large and unique in the reptile world, having keen binocular vision and keyhole shaped pupils. They have long, bright green coloured tongue, which is used when they sense danger. When disturbed, these snakes will exhibit their black and white scale markings by expanding their body.

These snakes, which are active during the day, live in trees and bushes on agricultural land and woods. Though their slender body gives the impression of speed, they are actually very slow-moving, relying on camouflaging as a vine in foliage. Their tail is used for grasping the limbs and trunks of trees, while climbing or hunting.

These snake species are viviparous which means they give birth to young that grow within the body of the mother, enclosed within the egg membrane. They give birth to five to 15 live offspring.

Size

Long nosed whip snakes are approximately two centimetres around and can grow to a length of two metres.

Feeding Habits

Long nosed whip snakes feed on frogs, lizards and small rodents. They are using their binocular vision to hunt. They kill their prey by biting the head and injecting a toxic poison from the rear fangs into the animal’s brain. They then swallow the animal whole. They are also known to occasionally eat fish, and they consume their prey alive, with no constriction.

Habitat

These snakes are found in Thailand, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Burma, Combodia and Vietnam. They normally live in trees that hang over or are situated near rivers and streams. They prefer humid temperatures and areas where there is dense vegetation growth.

Lifespan

Long nosed snake live for around 20 years.