Blunt-headed Tree Snake
Imantodes cenchoa
An extremely slender, big-eyed nocturnal tree snake with a distinctive blunt, wide head and thread-like neck.
- Venomous?
- Mildly venomous
- Adult length
- 0.7-1.0 m (2.3-3.3 ft)
- Range
- Mexico, Central America, and South America
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Overview
The blunt-headed tree snake is a delicate, arboreal species easily recognized by its disproportionately large head and eyes atop an exceptionally thin neck and body. It is one of the most common nocturnal tree snakes encountered in Neotropical forests.
Its mild rear-fanged venom is adapted for subduing small, cold-blooded prey and poses no significant threat to humans.
How to identify it
- Extremely thin, elongated body with a wide, distinct head
- Very large eyes with vertical pupils, adapted for night vision
- Brown blotches or crossbands on a tan or grayish background
- Prehensile tail used for climbing
- Smooth scales
Habitat & range
Found in lowland and montane tropical forests throughout Mexico, Central America, and much of South America. Highly arboreal, favoring vines, shrubs, and low tree branches.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Strictly nocturnal, moving slowly and deliberately through vegetation. Preys on sleeping lizards, frogs, and their eggs. Rear-fanged and mildly venomous, used to subdue small prey. Lays eggs. Rarely defensive, relying on stillness and camouflage.
Frequently asked questions
Is the blunt-headed tree snake dangerous?
No, it is only mildly venomous and poses no significant threat to humans.
Why does it have such large eyes?
Its large eyes are an adaptation for its strictly nocturnal, arboreal lifestyle.
What does it eat?
Mainly sleeping lizards and frogs, along with their eggs.
Where is it found?
Tropical forests from Mexico through Central and South America.
Blunt-headed Tree Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Blunt-headed Tree Snake.
