Red-tailed Racer
Gonyosoma oxycephalum
A slender, bright green arboreal snake from Southeast Asian rainforests, distinguished by the reddish-brown coloration of its tail contrasting with its emerald green body.
- Venomous?
- Non-venomous
- Adult length
- 1.8-2.4 m (6-8 ft)
- Range
- Southeast Asia
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Overview
The red-tailed racer is a large, highly arboreal colubrid found throughout the forests of Southeast Asia, including the Malay Peninsula, Indonesia, and the Philippines. It is one of the more visually distinctive green tree snakes in the region.
It is non-venomous and not dangerous to humans, though it is known for a nervous, defensive temperament when disturbed.
Its vivid coloration and canopy-dwelling lifestyle make it a notable, if less frequently observed, member of Southeast Asian snake fauna.
How to identify it
Adults are bright to olive green along most of the body, with the posterior portion of the tail transitioning to a distinctive reddish-brown or rust color, giving the species its common name.
- Elongated, angular head with a slightly upturned snout
- Large eyes with round pupils
- Slender, laterally compressed body adapted for climbing
- Juveniles often show a different, more mottled coloration than adults
- Adults typically measure 1.8-2.4 m
Habitat & range
This species is strongly arboreal, inhabiting lowland and hill rainforest canopy, forest edges, and sometimes plantations across Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo, Java, and other parts of the Sundaic region, extending into the Philippines and parts of mainland Southeast Asia.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
The red-tailed racer is diurnal and spends much of its time in trees and shrubs, rarely descending to the ground. It is known to be defensive when cornered, inflating its neck, striking readily, and emitting a strong musk.
Its diet consists of birds, bird eggs, and small mammals, which it seizes and constricts among branches. It is oviparous, laying small clutches of eggs in tree hollows or similar cavities.
Frequently asked questions
Is the red-tailed racer venomous?
No, it is non-venomous, though it can be defensive and bite readily if handled.
How big does the red-tailed racer get?
Adults typically reach 1.8-2.4 m in length.
Where is the red-tailed racer found?
It inhabits rainforest canopy across Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Why does the red-tailed racer have a different colored tail?
The rust-red coloration of the tail against the green body is a natural feature that gives the species its common name.
Red-tailed Racer guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Red-tailed Racer.
