Vine Snake
Barely the thickness of a man's finger, about 1.25 cm (1/2 in) in diameter at the most, the vine snake is a remarkably slender, elongated species. As it lies amid the branches of forest trees, its proportions and greeny-brown coloration make it almost indistinguishable from the abundant creepers and vines. Its head, too, is thin and elongated and equipped with rear fangs and mild venom. A slow-moving predator, active in the daytime and at night, the vine snake feeds mainly on young birds, which it steals from nests, and on lizards. If threatened, it puffs up the front of its body, revealing vivid coloration usually hidden under scales, and opens its long mouth wide. A frightened snake may also sway from side to side, like a stem in the breeze.
Green Keelback
Adult: 55 cm
- When Born: 7.5 cm
- Maximum: 80 cmNon Venomous Snake
Appearance: It is bright green in color. Body bears small dark black stripes. It has a distinctive V marking on its neck and head. When the snake is threatened, this marking region flattens like a hood. It has medium-sized keels on its body. The head is broad and bears large eyes. The under side of the body is grayish white. The baby snakes are bright in colorNature: Very little is known about this snake. Just like most snakes, it flattens its head and gets itself folded into 'S' shape when threatened. According to M A Smith, the snake is totally in offensive and can be easily kept as a petDistribution: In India they can be found up to an elevation of 1500 mts
Habitat: Forested region, plains
Feeds on: They love to feed on frogs
- When Born: 7.5 cm
- Maximum: 80 cmNon Venomous Snake
Appearance: It is bright green in color. Body bears small dark black stripes. It has a distinctive V marking on its neck and head. When the snake is threatened, this marking region flattens like a hood. It has medium-sized keels on its body. The head is broad and bears large eyes. The under side of the body is grayish white. The baby snakes are bright in colorNature: Very little is known about this snake. Just like most snakes, it flattens its head and gets itself folded into 'S' shape when threatened. According to M A Smith, the snake is totally in offensive and can be easily kept as a petDistribution: In India they can be found up to an elevation of 1500 mts
Habitat: Forested region, plains
Feeds on: They love to feed on frogs
Black Rat snake
Rat snakes are large, fast moving snakes which grow to a length of 2 ½ metres or more. Their size and color are similar to the cobras. Rat snakes are found wherever rats and frogs/toads are prevalent. So, of course, they are often found in rice fields and in human habitation. As hill forests are cleared and agriculture spreads to the slopes, rat snakes too are spreading "upwards". We recently saw one 2,000 metres up in palnis. Formerly they were rarely seen above 1,000 metres.The rat snake is active during the day, hunting for rodents, frogs,toads and birds along fields and in bushes. Large rat snakes can give a painful bite and are quick to defend themselves. We have heard them growl throatily,when first caught. The color varies from jet black in the hilss all the way to yellowish or brown. The female lays about 8 to 16 eggs and the young start their diet on frogs. During the breeding season, male rat snakes perform a combat dance. This is actually their way of protecting the area they live in and preventing other male snakes from coming into their territory.Many other snakes also perform this wrestling match in which the contestants don’t get hurt. But it is always between males and has nothing to do with mating, as people claim. Because rat snakes are the most frequently seen large Indian snakes, myths and stories about them are common.
Eastern Ribbon Snakes
The ribbon snake is a very slender, striped snake, similar in appearance to thegarter snake but with a much longer tail. Tail length for the ribbon snake generally accounts for one third or more of total body length. It is boldly patterned with three yellow stripes on a reddish-brown background. A distinct dark band separates each side stripe from the belly. The ribbon snake has keeled scales and a belly that is pale yellow or pale green.Ribbon snakes generally mate in the spring (April-May), after emerging from hibernation, and females give birth to 10-12 young in July or August.The preferred habitats of ribbon snakes are wetlands and the edges of ponds and streams. Amphibians, especially frogs, are their preferred food, although fish and insects are also taken. Given their preference for wet habitats, ribbon snakes tend to be most active during the spring. If summer weather dries up their environment they may become dormant until conditions improve. Ribbon snakes are comfortable both in and out of water and are adept swimmers. They may be found basking on logs, hummocks or muskrat lodges, and escape rapidly into dense cover or open water if threatened. Ribbon snakes rarely bite if handled, but they do secrete a foul musk from their anal glands when alarmed.
Speckled King Snake
The speckled kingsnake is often called the "salt-and-pepper" snake. This snake is easily recognized by the light spots covering a black body. The body is almost always solid black and the spots range from yellow-orange through creamy yellow to ivory white. There are spots on almost every scale. It is not uncommon for the spots to form thin, light crossbars on the dorsal surface, making the snake look somewhat banded.The semi-banded specimens are the most common pattern form throughout the range of speckled kingsnakes. Areas around Lake Charles, LA, and Alexandria, LA, tend to produce specimens with the least amount of banding. Animals with little or no banding pattern are often refered to as "multipspeckled."Although most wild caught speckled kingsnakes will calm down in captivity, this subspecies has a reputation for being more aggressive than others. From personal experience, about 40% of our wild caught individuals will try to bite and emit a foul smelling musk that you won't soon forget. The other 60% range in attitude from extremely docile to justwiggly when held. With frequent handling, though, most will calm down and make as fine a "pet" as any other kingsnake. However, captive bred pets are strongly recommended over wild collected ones.Speckled kingsnakes are well respected by most of the rural folks. Most of them are well aware of their appetite for rodents, although they unknowingly think that they primarily seek out and eat predominately venomous snakes. They DO eat venomous snakes but only as opportunistic feeders. They eat what is available to them, i.e. whatever they come accross. Young feed mainly on lizards and small snakes (such as baby garter and ribbon snakes). Adults feed mainly on rodents and snakes (including various water snake and cottonmouths). Speckled kingsnakes utilize many habitats including farms, open fields, swampy areas, forested areas and in many towns.There are a few varieties of this snake available from breeders. The albino has been on the market for some time now. It is a very attractive solid white snake with yellow spots. "Lavender Albinos" are also available. As an adult, they are a light purplish-black with light spots and red eyes. This variety originated from a wild caught snake from south Louisiana. Rumors are out there that a white-sided and striped speckled kingsnakes are out there with select breeders now.
Parrot Snake
This snake is well camouflaged in the trees with a bright green body. The snake is found in southern Mexico, Central America, and Argentina. The snake recoils and opens its mouth to frighten predators. The snake eats amphibians, reptiles, and birds. The snake parrot snake is from the Colubridae family.
There are around six different species of parrot snakes. They are 2 meters in length. These are not venomous snakes. The snake helps keep the amphibian population in balance.
There are around six different species of parrot snakes. They are 2 meters in length. These are not venomous snakes. The snake helps keep the amphibian population in balance.
Smooth Grass Snake
Description 14-26" (35.5-66 cm). Small and streamlined; bright grass-green with long tapering tail. Belly white, tinged with pale yellow. Hatchlings bluish-gray or dark olive-green. Scales smooth, in 15 rows. Anal plate divided.
Breeding Mates spring and late summer. Lays 3-11 cylindrical-shaped, thin-shelled eggs, late July to August. Young hatch in 4-23 days at 4-6 1/2" (10-16.5 cm). A choice egg-laying site may be shared by a number of females.
Habitat Meadows, grassy marshes, moist grassy fields along forest edge; sea level to 9,500' (2,900 m).
Range Nova Scotia west to se. Saskatchewan, south to North Carolina and ne. Kansas; se. Idaho and Wyoming south into ne. and se. Utah and e. New Mexico; se. Texas. Numerous scattered populations.
Discussion Active during the day. A capable climber, but is largely terrestrial. Its color provides excellent camouflage as it moves through grass and low shrubs in search of insects and spiders. Large numbers of this species may overwinter together.
Breeding Mates spring and late summer. Lays 3-11 cylindrical-shaped, thin-shelled eggs, late July to August. Young hatch in 4-23 days at 4-6 1/2" (10-16.5 cm). A choice egg-laying site may be shared by a number of females.
Habitat Meadows, grassy marshes, moist grassy fields along forest edge; sea level to 9,500' (2,900 m).
Range Nova Scotia west to se. Saskatchewan, south to North Carolina and ne. Kansas; se. Idaho and Wyoming south into ne. and se. Utah and e. New Mexico; se. Texas. Numerous scattered populations.
Discussion Active during the day. A capable climber, but is largely terrestrial. Its color provides excellent camouflage as it moves through grass and low shrubs in search of insects and spiders. Large numbers of this species may overwinter together.
Red Sand Boa
Indian sand boas scales have small litters, typically 4-10 babies in each. Babies are born red with black stripes. As the snakes age, the stripes fade and the orange becomes brown. There are a few lines that retain the orange.
It's Red sand boa...part of Boa's family its a constrictor snake and non venomous. Pretty young one hence the colors....as they grow they loose the red to gain brownish..
Probably the only snake which can dig in the sand...that's why the front tip of the nose is so hard...acts like a shovel...
It's Red sand boa...part of Boa's family its a constrictor snake and non venomous. Pretty young one hence the colors....as they grow they loose the red to gain brownish..
Probably the only snake which can dig in the sand...that's why the front tip of the nose is so hard...acts like a shovel...
Buff Striped Keelback
DescriptionSmall snake; total length up to 90 cm. There are 17-19 rows of scales, which are strongly keeled except, except those on the flanks. Head is elongate oval to slightly triangular; body is slender; tail is long. Eye is medium to large; iris is dappled yellow and black, with outer part of eye black and blending into yellow around pupil; pupil is round, jet black, surrounded by narrow band of light to medium yellow. The supraocular is moderately well developed forming a ridge above and a short distance anterior to eye. Tongue has black stem and gray fork tips. Upper head is gray or medium to olive brown with usually prominent upper shields due to black borders. There is a cream or yellow area, adjourning to a black vertical line, anterior to and posterior to eye. The lighter supralabials are well marked with black along sutures or on posterior margin of each scale. Two yellow or buff stripes extend along the sides of the gray, brownish or olive-green upper body, which is crossed by blackish bars. The stripes are usually diffuse at neck and especially bright on the second half of body. Near the neck, the crossbars are prominent whereas on the second half of body they may become diffuse. The ventral head is cream to bright yellow while the ventral surface of neck region is yellow. The ventral body posterior to neck and ventral tail are white to light gray with black spots or areas of scattered dark pigment on lateral quarter of the ventral area, which appears as a faint longitudinal line near latero-ventral junction and tends to disappear in the posterior part of body. Anal scale is divided and subcaudals are paired.