Green Vine Snake
Ahaetulla nasuta
A slender, bright green colubrid of the Indian subcontinent with an elongated pointed snout, blending seamlessly into foliage and rarely posing danger to humans.
- Venomous?
- Mildly venomous
- Adult length
- 1.0-1.8 m (3.3-6 ft)
- Range
- South Asia (India, Sri Lanka)
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Overview
The green vine snake is a slender, arboreal colubrid native to the Indian subcontinent, closely related to the oriental whip snake of Southeast Asia. It is mildly venomous, with rear fangs used to subdue small vertebrate prey, and its venom is not considered medically significant to humans.
Its remarkable camouflage among vines and leaves, combined with its calm, deliberate movement, makes it a distinctive and frequently photographed species across gardens and forests in India and Sri Lanka.
How to identify it
- Extremely slender, elongated body
- Bright green dorsal coloration, occasionally with faint white or yellow lateral striping
- Long, pointed, extended snout
- Horizontally elongated, keyhole-shaped pupils
- Whip-like thin tail
Its long pointed snout, thin whip-like body, and unusual horizontal pupils distinguish it from other green snakes across its range.
Habitat & range
Found in gardens, forest edges, scrubland, and agricultural areas throughout India and Sri Lanka, often in dense foliage or hedgerows where its coloration provides effective camouflage.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Diurnal and slow-moving, relying on camouflage rather than speed to avoid predators. When threatened, it may inflate its throat and gape to display a startling interior mouth coloration. Diet consists mainly of lizards and frogs. It is viviparous, giving birth to live young rather than laying eggs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the green vine snake venomous?
It is mildly venomous with rear fangs, but not considered dangerous to humans.
How big does the green vine snake get?
Adults typically reach 1.0-1.8 m (3.3-6 ft).
Where is the green vine snake found?
It is native to India and Sri Lanka.
Does the green vine snake lay eggs?
No, it gives birth to live young rather than laying eggs.
Green Vine Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Green Vine Snake.
