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Text and photos by Nick Baker, unless otherwise stated

 EcologyAsia 2008
Copyright ©
 
 
     

 

 
   
Oriental Whip Snake
   

The head profile is unmistakable. The above specimen is from Singapore's western area.
 


A fully-grown 2-metre specimen from Singapore's Central Catchment Forest


Entwined in the boundary fence of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Singapore.

A mildly venomous, yet docile species, the Oriental Whip Snake is commonly found in forested and rural areas. It feeds on vertebrates, including small nesting birds, lizards and frogs. The young are born alive, and are brownish in colour.  

 
 

This species is superbly camouflaged when set amongst bright green foliage.
 

Its profile is slim and elegant, and adult colouration may vary from light brown to dull yellow-green and often a startling fluorescent green.  There is commonly a thin pale line along the sides of the body. It is most commonly encountered whilst sunning itself on secondary growth along the forest edge.

The species ranges from India to China and throughout Southeast Asia as far east as Sulawesi and the Philippines.

 

 

Family : COLUBRIDAE
Species : Ahaetulla prasina
Maximum Size : Two metres

References : H1, H2