Sri Lankan green vine snake, pachai paambu, Shelati snake, Ahaetulla nasuta, Sri lankan green vine snake, Long-nosed whip snake
Ahaetulla nasuta, also known as Sri Lankan green vine snake and long-nosed whip snake, is a venomous, slender green tree snake endemic to Sri Lanka.
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DiurnalDiurnal animals are active during the daytime, with a period of sleeping or other inactivity at night. The timing of activity by an animal depends ...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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Ambush predatorAmbush predators are carnivorous animals that capture or trap prey by stealth, luring, or by (typically instinctive) strategies utilizing an elemen...
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PrecocialPrecocial species are those in which the young are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of birth or hatching. Precocial species are normall...
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ArborealArboreal locomotion is the locomotion of animals in trees. In habitats in which trees are present, animals have evolved to move in them. Some anima...
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OvoviviparousOvoviviparity, ovovivipary, ovivipary, or aplacental viviparity is a term used as a "bridging" form of reproduction between egg-laying oviparous an...
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Mildly venomousMildly venomous animals produce venom, which they use to kill or disable prey, defend themselves from predators or conspecifics, or in agonistic en...
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SolitaryNo
Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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Green AnimalsLong-nosed whip snakes are mildly venomous tree snakes native to South and Southeast Asia. These snakes have pointed snouts and extremely slender bodies. They are bright green or pale brownish in color; the skin between the scales is black and white on the upper part of the body, which appears striped when distended. There is also a yellow line along each side of the lower surface of their body.
Long-nosed whip snakes are found in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. They live in low bushes, shrubs, and trees in lowland forest terrain, particularly near streams, tropical dry deciduous forests, hill forests, and mangroves. They are also often found near human settlements.
Long-nosed whip snakes are solitary creatures that are active during the day. During the night they sleep hidden among the foliage or sometimes in a cavity, which provides shelter from predators. These snakes live in trees and hunt using their binocular vision. They are slow-moving, relying on camouflaging as a vine in foliage. The snake expands its body when disturbed to show a black and white scale marking. Also, they may open their mouth in the threat display and point their head in the direction of the perceived threat. The scientific name of these snakes 'Ahaetulla' in Sinhala means 'eye plucker'. They earned this name, and similar ones in Tamil and Indian vernaculars, due to their habit of staring and striking at the eyes when picked up. It is believed that they can blind their human victims.
The ingredients of the venom are unknown. The venom is moderately potent and can cause swelling, pain, bruising, numbness and other local symptoms, which will subside within three days. Bites close to the head, eyes and other vital areas could be severe.
Long-nosed whip snakes are carnivores; they feed mainly on frogs and lizards but may also consume rodents, nestlings and small birds, rodents, and small snakes.
The mating season for Long-nosed whip snakes begins in early summer. They are ovoviviparous, giving birth to young that grow within the body of the mother, enclosed within the egg membrane. The young are born fully developed and start hunting soon after birth.
There are no major threats to this species at present.
The IUCN Red List and other sources don’t provide the number of the Long-nosed whip snake total population size. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.
