Oriental Whip Snake
Ahaetulla prasina
An extremely slender, bright green colubrid with a pointed snout, common in gardens and forest edges across South and Southeast Asia, with mild venom of little concern to people.
- Venomous?
- Mildly venomous
- Adult length
- 1.0-1.8 m (3.3-6 ft)
- Range
- South and Southeast Asia (India, Indochina, Malay Peninsula, Indonesia, Philippines)
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Overview
The oriental whip snake, also known as the Asian vine snake, is a slender, elongated colubrid widespread across South and Southeast Asia. It is mildly venomous with rear fangs used mainly to subdue small vertebrate prey, and it is not considered dangerous to humans.
Its extremely thin, whip-like body and pointed snout give it exceptional camouflage among vines and foliage, and it is a frequently encountered species in gardens, parks, and forest edges throughout its wide range.
How to identify it
- Extremely slender, elongated body resembling a vine or twig
- Bright green dorsal coloration in most individuals, though brown color morphs also occur
- Long, pointed, tapering snout
- Horizontally shaped, keyhole-like pupils, unusual among snakes
- Thin, whip-like tail
Its unmistakably thin body, pointed snout, and distinctive horizontal pupils separate it from other green tree snakes in the region.
Habitat & range
Found in a broad range of habitats including forest edge, gardens, parks, and shrubby vegetation across India, Indochina, the Malay Peninsula, Indonesia, and the Philippines. It is highly adaptable and tolerant of disturbed or human-modified landscapes.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Diurnal and highly arboreal, moving slowly and deliberately through vegetation while relying on camouflage. When threatened, it may inflate its neck and open its mouth in a defensive display. Diet consists mainly of lizards, frogs, and occasionally small birds. Unusually among colubrids, it is viviparous, giving birth to live young rather than laying eggs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the oriental whip snake venomous?
It is mildly venomous with rear fangs, but poses little risk to humans.
How big does the oriental whip snake get?
Adults typically reach 1.0-1.8 m (3.3-6 ft), most of which is a very slender body and tail.
Where is the oriental whip snake found?
It occurs widely across India, Indochina, the Malay Peninsula, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Does the oriental whip snake lay eggs?
No, unlike most colubrids it gives birth to live young.
Oriental Whip Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Oriental Whip Snake.
