Ahaetulla
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| Oriental Whipsnake, Ahaetulla prasina | |
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| Genus: | Ahaetulla
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Ahaetulla is a genus of colubrid snakes commonly referred to as vine snakes, or whip snakes. They are found predominantly from India through to China and much of southeast Asia, including many Pacific islands. They are mildly venomous and what is commonly termed as 'rear-fanged' or more appropriately, opisthoglyphous, meaning their enlarged teeth or fangs intended to aid in venom delivery are set back in their jaw, instead of in the front like they are in vipers or cobras.
Species
The taxonomy of vine snakes is not well documented, and literature varies widely, but there are 8 commonly accepted species in the genus Ahaetulla:
- Günther's Vine Snake or Indian Bronzeback, Ahaetulla dispar (Günther, 1864)
- Speckle-headed Whipsnake, Ahaetulla fasciolata (Fischer, 1885)
- Burmese Vine Snake, Ahaetulla fronticincta (Günther, 1858)
- Malayan Green Whipsnake, Ahaetulla mycterizans (Linnaeus, 1758)
- Long-nosed Whip Snake, Ahaetulla nasuta (La Cépède, 1789)
- Western Ghats Bronzeback, Ahaetulla perroteti (Duméril & Bibron, 1854)
- Oriental Whipsnake or Asian Vine Snake, Ahaetulla prasina (Shaw, 1802)
- Brown-speckled Whipsnake, Ahaetulla pulverulenta (Duméril & Bibron, 1854)
Description
All Ahaetulla species are characterized by thin, elongated bodies, with extremely long tails and a sharply triangular shaped head. They are primarily green in color, but can vary quite a bit to yellows, oranges, greys, and browns. They can have black and/or white patterning, or can be solid in color. Their eyes are unique in the reptile world, having keen binocular vision and keyhole shaped pupils.
Behavior
They are primarily diurnal and arboreal, living in humid rainforests. Their diet consists mainly of lizards, but sometimes frogs and rodents are also consumed. Ahaetulla venom is not considered to be dangerous to humans, but serves to cause paralysis in their fast moving prey choices. They are ovoviviparous.
In captivity
Ahaetulla species are frequently imported into the exotic pet trade, often without proper species identification. They are difficult to care for, requiring a humid arboreal habitat and a diet of lizards as they rarely switch to rodents. They also stress easily, are prone to skin infections, and internal parasites. They can be a challenge, but rewarding for the advanced reptile keeper.
References
- Genus Ahaetulla at The Reptile Database