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Overview
Distribution
Geographic Range
This species ranges widely from Mexico south to Bolivia (Lamar 1997).
Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native )
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Animal Diversity Web
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Distribution: Mexico (Campeche etc.), Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Belize, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela (Zulia [HR 31: 57]), Ecuador, Brazil (Mato Grosso, Pará), Peru, Bolivia Guyana, Surinam, French Guiana
Type locality: Surinam.
© Peter Uetz
Source:
The Reptile Database
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Physical Description
Morphology
Physical Description
This species has a pointy head with leafy green coloration on its dorsum and lighter green on its ventrum. Its iris is golden colored with a round pupil. It can reach in excess of 6 feet (Lamar 1997).
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Animal Diversity Web
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Ecology
Habitat
Habitat
This snake is most often found inhabiting rainforest or gallery forest, and because of its leafy coloration it is hard to detect (Lamar 1997).
Terrestrial Biomes: rainforest
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Animal Diversity Web
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Trophic Strategy
Food Habits
Oxybelis fulgidus is very adept at capturing birds, and in some areas specializes in catching hummingbirds. It will sometimes position itself next to a flower and remain motionless, waiting for hummingbirds to approach (Lamar 1997).
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Animal Diversity Web
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Life History and Behavior
Reproduction
Reproduction
The only information available on the green vine snake's reproduction is that like most of its reptile relatives it lays eggs (Lamar 1997).
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Animal Diversity Web
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Conservation
Conservation Status
Conservation Status
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
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Source:
Animal Diversity Web
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Relevance to Humans and Ecosystems
Benefits
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
No information available.
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Source:
Animal Diversity Web
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Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
No information available.
© The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
Source:
Animal Diversity Web
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Wikipedia
Oxybelis fulgidus
The Green Vine Snake, Oxybelis fulgidus, is a long, slender arboreal Colubrid snake that inhabits Central America and northern South America.
Contents |
Description
This snake is slender, about 2 cm thick, and may have a length of about 1.5 to 2 meters. The tail is long and very delicate, but mostly used to hold on while reaching for prey. The head is aerodynamically-shaped and very pointy, the mouth is very big and extends almost through the whole head. The tongue is long and green, when in use it is kept outside and moved up and down.
Catching prey
The green vine snake stays high on trees and looks down to the ground. When a mouse, lizard or nest is found the snake follows the prey a short distance and smells it carefully. If the snake is content with it, it bites into the head and lifts the prey 20–40 cm from the ground. With this the snakes prevents the prey from using its physical strength. The vine snake has two larger teeth at the back of its mouth; these teeth permit the toxic saliva to penetrate the wounds and to immobilize the prey. Then it is rapidly swallowed. Once the prey is completely in the snakes body, the vine snake searches for a resting place, usually in the highest point of a tree.
Behavior in captivity
Vine snakes must be kept in large terrariums with a height of at least 2 meters and a surface of 6-16 square meters. The behavior towards humans is neutral and the snake usually goes to the other end of the terrarium. Some adapt very well and even come nearer. These are almost entirely lizard eaters. It is possible to train them to eat mice but difficult.
Images
Oxybelis fulgidus in Tortuguero National Park - Costa Rica
Oxybelis fulgidus in Tortuguero National Park - Costa Rica
Oxybelis fulgidus in Cahuita - Costa Rica
Oxybelis fulgidus in Honduras
References
Source:
Wikipedia
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