Common Vine Snake

The common vine snake, also known as the twig snake, is a highly camouflaged arboreal colubrid found across savanna woodlands of southern and eastern Africa. Its slender, branch-like form and cryptic coloration make it nearly invisible among vegetation.

It is venomous, and along with the boomslang, it is one of the few rear-fanged African colubrids capable of causing serious, potentially life-threatening envenomation; however, it is shy and bites typically occur only when the snake is handled or threatened.

• Gray, brown, or mottled bark-like coloration that closely resembles a twig or vine
• Extremely slender body with an elongated, narrow head and pointed snout
• Distinctive horizontal, keyhole-shaped pupils, unusual among snakes
• Rough, slightly keeled scales
• Adults typically 1-1.5 m long

Its twig-like camouflage, narrow head, and unusual keyhole pupils are highly distinctive and separate it from other slender African tree snakes.

Inhabits savanna woodland, thornveld, and riverine vegetation across southern and eastern Africa, remaining almost entirely arboreal among branches and vines where its camouflage is most effective.

Diurnal, relying on stillness and camouflage to ambush prey, often remaining motionless with its head extended like a twig. Feeds on lizards, particularly chameleons, as well as birds, frogs, and other small vertebrates. When threatened, it may inflate its neck and display bright interstitial skin coloration as a warning. Reproduction is oviparous, with females laying small clutches of eggs.