Calamaria lumbricoidea
variable reed snake
variable reed snake
T7 : 30-10-23
Calamaria is a large genus of non venomous dwarf burrowing snakes of the family Colubridae.
The genus contains 66 recognized species and is endemic to Asia.
The genus Calamaria has far more species than all other genera in the subfamily combined, and its geographic range is more extensive than the combined ranges of the other genera.
Consequently, more is known about it than about the other genera, although Calamariinae is still among the most poorly known groups of snakes in the world, especially for its relatively high species diversity.
Species in the genus Calamaria share the following characteristics. The eight to 11 maxillary teeth are subequal, the anterior mandibular teeth are somewhat longer than the posterior ones.
The head is not distinct from neck, the eye is small with a round pupil, the nostril is pierced in a minute nasal scale. No loreal, internasal, or temporal scales are present, the preocular can be present or absent, the parietals contact the labials.
The body is cylindrical with smooth dorsal scales, without apical pits, in 13 rows. The tail is short, the subcaudals are paired.
Calamariinae snakes are small, burrowing forest-dwelling snakes that eat worms, small frogs and insect larvae. Very few species of colubrid snakes have as few dorsal scale rows as Calamaria, and none have more extensive fusion of the head scales. Most species have laterally compressed, flask-shaped maxillary teeth, maximum Size : 65 cm
Calamaria lumbricoidea (Thai name: งูพงอ้อหลากลาย (Ngu Plong Ao Lag Lai) commonly known as variable reed snake, is a species of dwarf snake in the family Colubridae.
They have sexual reproduction, juveniles of this species are far more colorful and conspicuous than the adults. It is found in Thailand, W. Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Philippines.
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Reptilia
Order : Squamata
Suborder : Serpentes
Family : Colubridae
Genus : Calamaria
Species : C. lumbricoidea
Binomial name Calamaria lumbricoidea
Boie, 1827
The genus contains 66 recognized species and is endemic to Asia.
The genus Calamaria has far more species than all other genera in the subfamily combined, and its geographic range is more extensive than the combined ranges of the other genera.
Consequently, more is known about it than about the other genera, although Calamariinae is still among the most poorly known groups of snakes in the world, especially for its relatively high species diversity.
Species in the genus Calamaria share the following characteristics. The eight to 11 maxillary teeth are subequal, the anterior mandibular teeth are somewhat longer than the posterior ones.
The head is not distinct from neck, the eye is small with a round pupil, the nostril is pierced in a minute nasal scale. No loreal, internasal, or temporal scales are present, the preocular can be present or absent, the parietals contact the labials.
The body is cylindrical with smooth dorsal scales, without apical pits, in 13 rows. The tail is short, the subcaudals are paired.
Calamariinae snakes are small, burrowing forest-dwelling snakes that eat worms, small frogs and insect larvae. Very few species of colubrid snakes have as few dorsal scale rows as Calamaria, and none have more extensive fusion of the head scales. Most species have laterally compressed, flask-shaped maxillary teeth, maximum Size : 65 cm
Calamaria lumbricoidea (Thai name: งูพงอ้อหลากลาย (Ngu Plong Ao Lag Lai) commonly known as variable reed snake, is a species of dwarf snake in the family Colubridae.
They have sexual reproduction, juveniles of this species are far more colorful and conspicuous than the adults. It is found in Thailand, W. Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Philippines.
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Reptilia
Order : Squamata
Suborder : Serpentes
Family : Colubridae
Genus : Calamaria
Species : C. lumbricoidea
Binomial name Calamaria lumbricoidea
Boie, 1827
Lycodon subcinctus
banded wolf snake
banded wolf snake
T7PL : 25-10-23
Lycodon is a genus of colubrid snakes, commonly known as wolf snakes.
They are non venomous, but many members of this genus strongly resemble the venomous kraits in appearance, an example of Emsleyan mimicry.
Lycodon subcinctus, commonly known as the Malayan banded wolf snake and White-banded wolf snake
(In Thai: งูปล้องฉนวนบ้าน, ngu plong cha nuan baan)
is a species of snake of the family Colubridae. This snake has banded pattern that resembles a Krait.
This wide-ranging species inhabits lowland forest and montane habitats up to at least 1500 metres elevation (Tweedie, 1957). It is most generally encountered by night on the forest floor, but is also considered to be arboreal.
The body is slender, and the somewhat flattened head is of the same width as the body, it can grow to a maximum length of 90cm 3ft.
Juveniles and half-grown specimens are adorned with numerous widely-spaced pale bands, either white or cream, which are wider at the base and narrower dorsally, these are less apparent in the posterior section of the body and the tail.
The background colour is black or dark brown, in adult specimens banding may be totally absent.
L. subcinctus feeds on lizards, especially geckoes and small forest skinks, it kill its prey by constriction and swallows head first.
L.subcinctus is oviparous, it Lays between 5-11 eggs, which hatch in 1.5 months, it is a species of colubrid snake found in Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Philippines, Vietnam, West Malaysia, Singapore and India (Nicobar Islands).
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Reptilia
Order : Squamata
Suborder : Serpentes
Family : Colubridae
Genus : Lycodon
Species : L. subcinctus
Binomial name Lycodon subcinctus
Boie, 1827
They are non venomous, but many members of this genus strongly resemble the venomous kraits in appearance, an example of Emsleyan mimicry.
Lycodon subcinctus, commonly known as the Malayan banded wolf snake and White-banded wolf snake
(In Thai: งูปล้องฉนวนบ้าน, ngu plong cha nuan baan)
is a species of snake of the family Colubridae. This snake has banded pattern that resembles a Krait.
This wide-ranging species inhabits lowland forest and montane habitats up to at least 1500 metres elevation (Tweedie, 1957). It is most generally encountered by night on the forest floor, but is also considered to be arboreal.
The body is slender, and the somewhat flattened head is of the same width as the body, it can grow to a maximum length of 90cm 3ft.
Juveniles and half-grown specimens are adorned with numerous widely-spaced pale bands, either white or cream, which are wider at the base and narrower dorsally, these are less apparent in the posterior section of the body and the tail.
The background colour is black or dark brown, in adult specimens banding may be totally absent.
L. subcinctus feeds on lizards, especially geckoes and small forest skinks, it kill its prey by constriction and swallows head first.
L.subcinctus is oviparous, it Lays between 5-11 eggs, which hatch in 1.5 months, it is a species of colubrid snake found in Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Philippines, Vietnam, West Malaysia, Singapore and India (Nicobar Islands).
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Reptilia
Order : Squamata
Suborder : Serpentes
Family : Colubridae
Genus : Lycodon
Species : L. subcinctus
Binomial name Lycodon subcinctus
Boie, 1827
Dendrelaphis kopsteini
Kopstein's bronzeback
Kopstein's bronzeback
Segar PCN : 17-9-23
Dendrelaphis is a genus of colubrid snakes, distributed from Pakistan, India and southern China to Indonesia, Timor-Leste, the Philippines, Australia, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.
There are over forty recognized species described to date. Asian species are known commonly as bronzebacks while the Australo-Papuan species are simply called treesnakes and all of this species are non-venomous and entirely harmless to humans.
Bronzebacks range in total length (including tail) from 2 feet (0.61 m) to up to 6 feet (1.8 m).
All species have a slender body with a long tail. Males are shorter in length and brighter in coloration, they also tend to be more active. Females are stouter with duller or darker colorations and are less active.
Typical coloration includes red, brown, or orange on the head with bronze, brown, or olive-green running down the length of the back. The underside of the body is usually bright to pale green or yellow. They have big eyes and bright red tongues. The tail is fully prehensile.
The primary prey of Dendrelaphis species consists of lizards and frogs, but the larger species are capable of taking birds, bats, and small rodents.
Dendrelaphis kopsteini, Kopstein's bronzeback, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae, it is also known as the Red-necked Bronzeback, this species was formerly confused with other bronzebacks, including the Elegant Bronzeback Dendrelaphis
formosus, but since 2007 has been considered a species in its own right.
The distinguishing feature of Kopstein's Bronzeback is considered to be the orange-red colouration in the back of the neck, this is best seen when the snake expands its neck region. Further back from the head and neck region the scales are blue and brown, with a vague pattern of narrow bars.
The top of the head is deep bronze, and a dark stripe extends from the snout through the eye to the start of the neck. The lips, throat and underside of the neck are pale yellow. The species is found in Thailand, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia.
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Reptilia
Order : Squamata
Suborder : Serpentes
Family : Colubridae
Genus : Dendrelaphis
Species : D. kopsteini
Binomial name Dendrelaphis kopsteini
G. Vogel & van Rooijen, 2007
There are over forty recognized species described to date. Asian species are known commonly as bronzebacks while the Australo-Papuan species are simply called treesnakes and all of this species are non-venomous and entirely harmless to humans.
Bronzebacks range in total length (including tail) from 2 feet (0.61 m) to up to 6 feet (1.8 m).
All species have a slender body with a long tail. Males are shorter in length and brighter in coloration, they also tend to be more active. Females are stouter with duller or darker colorations and are less active.
Typical coloration includes red, brown, or orange on the head with bronze, brown, or olive-green running down the length of the back. The underside of the body is usually bright to pale green or yellow. They have big eyes and bright red tongues. The tail is fully prehensile.
The primary prey of Dendrelaphis species consists of lizards and frogs, but the larger species are capable of taking birds, bats, and small rodents.
Dendrelaphis kopsteini, Kopstein's bronzeback, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae, it is also known as the Red-necked Bronzeback, this species was formerly confused with other bronzebacks, including the Elegant Bronzeback Dendrelaphis
formosus, but since 2007 has been considered a species in its own right.
The distinguishing feature of Kopstein's Bronzeback is considered to be the orange-red colouration in the back of the neck, this is best seen when the snake expands its neck region. Further back from the head and neck region the scales are blue and brown, with a vague pattern of narrow bars.
The top of the head is deep bronze, and a dark stripe extends from the snout through the eye to the start of the neck. The lips, throat and underside of the neck are pale yellow. The species is found in Thailand, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia.
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Reptilia
Order : Squamata
Suborder : Serpentes
Family : Colubridae
Genus : Dendrelaphis
Species : D. kopsteini
Binomial name Dendrelaphis kopsteini
G. Vogel & van Rooijen, 2007
Oligodon signatus
Barred Kukri Snake
Barred Kukri Snake
T15 : 19-07-23
Oligodon is genus of colubrid snakesthat was first described by Austrian zoologist Leopold Fitzinger in 1826. This genus is widespread throughout central and tropical Asia. The snakes of this genus are commonly known as kukri snakes.
The species in the genus Oligodon are egg eaters and are usually under 90 cm (35 in) in total length (including tail).
Different species display widely variable patterns and colorations. They subsist mostly by scavenging
the eggs of birds and reptiles. Besides eggs, species of this genus also feeds on lizards, frogs, and small rodents.
Oligodon is a rear-fanged snake genus. All member species have a set of enlarged teeth placed in the back of the upper jaws, as well as functional Duvernoy's glands. They are not dangerous to humans, though. Bites by some species have been reported to bleed excessively, suggesting presence of anticoagulants in the Duvernoy's gland secretions. Species of Oligodon are mostly nocturnal, and live on the floor of mature forests.
Oligodon signatus, also known as the half-keeled kukri snake, the barred kukri snake, or the banded kukri snake, is a species of snake of the family Colubridae.
(In Thai: งูปี่แก้วหัวศร, ngu pi kaew hua sorn) it is a non venomous snake.
This rarely encountered Barred Kukri Snake, little is known of the ecology of this species but it appears to be secretive in habits, remaining largely concealed under leaf litter, treefalls and other forest floor debris.
It is considered to be a rare snake. It inhabits lowland primary or mature secondary forest and is nocturnal.
This Oligodon signatus capture here in photo shot is probably forced into the open due to heavy rain in the day.
The body colour of O.signatus is dark brown (sometimes with a faint purplish tinge), and the dorsum is adorned with red cross-bars which are either narrow and extend onto each flank, or are truncated and triangular in shape.
Towards the head these bars assume a forward-pointing chevron pattern, which is typical of many species of kukri snake. The underside is reddish-pink.
The body is moderately slender and rounded in cross-section. The head is short and of the same diameter as the neck.
The Barred Kukri Snake Oligodon signatus is recorded from Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra and Java.
There are 84 recognized species in the genus Oligodon according to Reptile Database as of April 2023.
Half-Keeled Kukri Snake Oligodon signatus has most recently been assessed for The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2011. Oligodon signatus is listed as Least Concern.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Oligodon
Species: O. signatus
Binomial name Oligodon signatus
(Günther, 1864)
The species in the genus Oligodon are egg eaters and are usually under 90 cm (35 in) in total length (including tail).
Different species display widely variable patterns and colorations. They subsist mostly by scavenging
the eggs of birds and reptiles. Besides eggs, species of this genus also feeds on lizards, frogs, and small rodents.
Oligodon is a rear-fanged snake genus. All member species have a set of enlarged teeth placed in the back of the upper jaws, as well as functional Duvernoy's glands. They are not dangerous to humans, though. Bites by some species have been reported to bleed excessively, suggesting presence of anticoagulants in the Duvernoy's gland secretions. Species of Oligodon are mostly nocturnal, and live on the floor of mature forests.
Oligodon signatus, also known as the half-keeled kukri snake, the barred kukri snake, or the banded kukri snake, is a species of snake of the family Colubridae.
(In Thai: งูปี่แก้วหัวศร, ngu pi kaew hua sorn) it is a non venomous snake.
This rarely encountered Barred Kukri Snake, little is known of the ecology of this species but it appears to be secretive in habits, remaining largely concealed under leaf litter, treefalls and other forest floor debris.
It is considered to be a rare snake. It inhabits lowland primary or mature secondary forest and is nocturnal.
This Oligodon signatus capture here in photo shot is probably forced into the open due to heavy rain in the day.
The body colour of O.signatus is dark brown (sometimes with a faint purplish tinge), and the dorsum is adorned with red cross-bars which are either narrow and extend onto each flank, or are truncated and triangular in shape.
Towards the head these bars assume a forward-pointing chevron pattern, which is typical of many species of kukri snake. The underside is reddish-pink.
The body is moderately slender and rounded in cross-section. The head is short and of the same diameter as the neck.
The Barred Kukri Snake Oligodon signatus is recorded from Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra and Java.
There are 84 recognized species in the genus Oligodon according to Reptile Database as of April 2023.
Half-Keeled Kukri Snake Oligodon signatus has most recently been assessed for The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2011. Oligodon signatus is listed as Least Concern.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Oligodon
Species: O. signatus
Binomial name Oligodon signatus
(Günther, 1864)
Coelognathus flavolineatus
(In Thai: งูทางมะพร้าวดำ, ngu taang mapao dam)
Malayan racer
(In Thai: งูทางมะพร้าวดำ, ngu taang mapao dam)
Malayan racer
T15 : 25-05-23
Coelognathus is a genus of seven rat snakes from South and Southeast Asia that were formerly assigned to the genus Elaphe.
Elaphe is a genus of snakes in the family Colubridae. Elaphe is one of the main genera of the rat snakes, which are found in many regions of the northern hemisphere.
Elaphe species are medium to large constrictors by nature. Although all of the species in Elaphe are nonvenomous, bites from rat snakes are still irritably painful and can potentially cause bacterial infections, especially due to the saliva.
Like most of the rat snakes, Elaphe spp. generally have slender but sturdy bodies, square heads, and extremely flat bellies. Their sizes range from large medium to very large, growing even as large as 2.75m (108 in). Elaphe spp. have large numbers of vertebrae, ribs, and ventral scales, but few rows of dorsal scales, which are characterized by having slight keels.
In cross section, Elaphe spp. are shaped like a loaf of bread, the flat belly meeting the sides of the body at an angle. This special physical characteristic is well observed in Elaphe obsoleta (now considered
Pantherophis obsoletus), whose belly scales curve upward. The curving of the ventral scales gives them better traction for tree climbing. The color and pattern of Elaphe spp. are quite variable and hard to generalize.
Internally, Elaphe spp. do not have any observable vestiges of hind limbs or coronoid bones of the lower jaw like any other members of the family Colubridae.
Another important characteristic of Elaphe as part of the Colubridae is the presence of Duvernoy's gland, a modified salivary and digestive gland. In addition, Elaphe spp. have equal and smooth maxillary teeth. The teeth are small and slightly curved, and occur in several rows. The curved teeth help fix the prey and prevent them from escaping once they are caught.
Elaphe spp. have very developed sensory organs which support their daily activities. They have internal ears that enables them to detect sounds at low frequencies. The ears consist of a single ear bone connected to a jaw bone.
Compared to other snakes, they are considered to have highly developed vision that allows them to detect the movement of their predators and prey. The eyes are protected by single transparent brilles.
In addition, the analysis of scents is carried out by Jacobson's organ in the palate. To stimulate Jacobson's organ, they use their tongues to transport air and ground molecules to Jacobson's organ. Then, the organ analyzes the molecules to identify the scent. Among these detectable scents are pheromones, which indicate the presence of other snakes and their reproductive readiness.
The lifespan of Elaphe spp. is generally 15 years. Males live a little longer than females. Elaphe spp. generally reach sexual maturity after 18–24 months. They usually mate with the opposite sex after emerging from hibernation in the spring. The gestation
period of females is around 1.5 months, and females can lay up to 30 eggs in a clutch, the number varying between species.
Elaphe spp. hibernate, especially those that live in cold regions, because snakes are cold-blooded, which makes their body temperature susceptible to the temperature of their environments. Thus, they need to maintain their body energy by switching locations and remaining physiologically inactive when winter comes.
The hibernacula sites vary depending on the habitats they live in, yet the most important requirement of a hibernaculum site is that it needs to be frost-free. Some Elaphe spp. hibernate in the rock crevices, rock faults, and burrows. However, other species choose to hibernate in rotting logs, roots of trees, and hollow spaces in elevated tree trunks. Some snakes that live close to human communities even hibernate in old wells and barns.
Based on morphological evidence and protein similarities, in 2001, Helfenberger revalidated the name Coelognathus that had originally been proposed by Leopold Fitzinger in 1843.
The distinction between Coelognathus and Elaphe was further supported by mitochondrial DNA sequence and additional morphological evidence in 2005.
Coelognathus flavolineatus, (In Thai: งูทางมะพร้าวดำ, ngu taang mapao dam) common name Black copper rat snake, Yellow-striped snake, Yellow-striped trinket snake, Yellow-striped racer, Malayan Racer, Ular Kopi (Bahasa Indonesia), Ular Laju Biasa (Malay), Ular Laju Ekor Hitam (Malay), Ular Selingsing Batu (Malay) is a species of colubrid snake found in Southeast Asia.
This species was previously recognized in the genus Elaphe. They have sexual reproduction. Maximum size is 1.8m
C. flavolineatus can be distinguished by the colour Yellow, brown, with black stripes behind eyes stopping at neck and additional lines from mid sections long spine fading towards the tail which is charcoal black, black markings along the sides for the first third of the body, it occurs in parts of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, India (Andaman Is.) Indonesia (Jawa, Kalimantan, Sumatera, Bali) Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
The non-venomous (C. flavolineatus) Malayan Racer or also called Black Copper Rat Snake is reckoned to be both terrestrial and arboreal, is often found in lowland forests, but has adapted well to disturbed habitats such as parklands and open, agricultural areas such as coffee farms and rice paddies.
This snake preys on rats and mice which are harmful pests to farmers. There are many color variants of this species which can be gray yellow, black, or a combination of both. Juvenile stage this snake has a bluish gray color with a yellow line running along its back.
Many snakes have significant variance in coloration and pattern even within the same species. There can also be extreme differences in appearance from juveniles to adults so it is important to never assume you have properly identified a snake.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus:Coelognathus
Species: C. flavolineatus
Binomial name Coelognathus flavolineatus
(Schlegel, 1837)
Synonyms:
Coluber flavolineatus Schlegel, 1837
Elaphe flavolineata
Elaphe is a genus of snakes in the family Colubridae. Elaphe is one of the main genera of the rat snakes, which are found in many regions of the northern hemisphere.
Elaphe species are medium to large constrictors by nature. Although all of the species in Elaphe are nonvenomous, bites from rat snakes are still irritably painful and can potentially cause bacterial infections, especially due to the saliva.
Like most of the rat snakes, Elaphe spp. generally have slender but sturdy bodies, square heads, and extremely flat bellies. Their sizes range from large medium to very large, growing even as large as 2.75m (108 in). Elaphe spp. have large numbers of vertebrae, ribs, and ventral scales, but few rows of dorsal scales, which are characterized by having slight keels.
In cross section, Elaphe spp. are shaped like a loaf of bread, the flat belly meeting the sides of the body at an angle. This special physical characteristic is well observed in Elaphe obsoleta (now considered
Pantherophis obsoletus), whose belly scales curve upward. The curving of the ventral scales gives them better traction for tree climbing. The color and pattern of Elaphe spp. are quite variable and hard to generalize.
Internally, Elaphe spp. do not have any observable vestiges of hind limbs or coronoid bones of the lower jaw like any other members of the family Colubridae.
Another important characteristic of Elaphe as part of the Colubridae is the presence of Duvernoy's gland, a modified salivary and digestive gland. In addition, Elaphe spp. have equal and smooth maxillary teeth. The teeth are small and slightly curved, and occur in several rows. The curved teeth help fix the prey and prevent them from escaping once they are caught.
Elaphe spp. have very developed sensory organs which support their daily activities. They have internal ears that enables them to detect sounds at low frequencies. The ears consist of a single ear bone connected to a jaw bone.
Compared to other snakes, they are considered to have highly developed vision that allows them to detect the movement of their predators and prey. The eyes are protected by single transparent brilles.
In addition, the analysis of scents is carried out by Jacobson's organ in the palate. To stimulate Jacobson's organ, they use their tongues to transport air and ground molecules to Jacobson's organ. Then, the organ analyzes the molecules to identify the scent. Among these detectable scents are pheromones, which indicate the presence of other snakes and their reproductive readiness.
The lifespan of Elaphe spp. is generally 15 years. Males live a little longer than females. Elaphe spp. generally reach sexual maturity after 18–24 months. They usually mate with the opposite sex after emerging from hibernation in the spring. The gestation
period of females is around 1.5 months, and females can lay up to 30 eggs in a clutch, the number varying between species.
Elaphe spp. hibernate, especially those that live in cold regions, because snakes are cold-blooded, which makes their body temperature susceptible to the temperature of their environments. Thus, they need to maintain their body energy by switching locations and remaining physiologically inactive when winter comes.
The hibernacula sites vary depending on the habitats they live in, yet the most important requirement of a hibernaculum site is that it needs to be frost-free. Some Elaphe spp. hibernate in the rock crevices, rock faults, and burrows. However, other species choose to hibernate in rotting logs, roots of trees, and hollow spaces in elevated tree trunks. Some snakes that live close to human communities even hibernate in old wells and barns.
Based on morphological evidence and protein similarities, in 2001, Helfenberger revalidated the name Coelognathus that had originally been proposed by Leopold Fitzinger in 1843.
The distinction between Coelognathus and Elaphe was further supported by mitochondrial DNA sequence and additional morphological evidence in 2005.
Coelognathus flavolineatus, (In Thai: งูทางมะพร้าวดำ, ngu taang mapao dam) common name Black copper rat snake, Yellow-striped snake, Yellow-striped trinket snake, Yellow-striped racer, Malayan Racer, Ular Kopi (Bahasa Indonesia), Ular Laju Biasa (Malay), Ular Laju Ekor Hitam (Malay), Ular Selingsing Batu (Malay) is a species of colubrid snake found in Southeast Asia.
This species was previously recognized in the genus Elaphe. They have sexual reproduction. Maximum size is 1.8m
C. flavolineatus can be distinguished by the colour Yellow, brown, with black stripes behind eyes stopping at neck and additional lines from mid sections long spine fading towards the tail which is charcoal black, black markings along the sides for the first third of the body, it occurs in parts of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, India (Andaman Is.) Indonesia (Jawa, Kalimantan, Sumatera, Bali) Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
The non-venomous (C. flavolineatus) Malayan Racer or also called Black Copper Rat Snake is reckoned to be both terrestrial and arboreal, is often found in lowland forests, but has adapted well to disturbed habitats such as parklands and open, agricultural areas such as coffee farms and rice paddies.
This snake preys on rats and mice which are harmful pests to farmers. There are many color variants of this species which can be gray yellow, black, or a combination of both. Juvenile stage this snake has a bluish gray color with a yellow line running along its back.
Many snakes have significant variance in coloration and pattern even within the same species. There can also be extreme differences in appearance from juveniles to adults so it is important to never assume you have properly identified a snake.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus:Coelognathus
Species: C. flavolineatus
Binomial name Coelognathus flavolineatus
(Schlegel, 1837)
Synonyms:
Coluber flavolineatus Schlegel, 1837
Elaphe flavolineata
Cylindrophis ruffus
red-tailed pipe snake, red cylinder snake,
or common pipe snake
red-tailed pipe snake, red cylinder snake,
or common pipe snake
T15 : 06-05-23
The Cylindrophiidae are a monotypic family of
secretive, semifossorial, non-venomous snakes containing the genus Cylindrophis found in southeastern Asia.
Cylindrophis are found in southeastern Asia from Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and the Malay Archipelago, including Singapore, both peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak, and Indonesia, including the Greater Sunda Islands (Borneo [including Sarawak and Brunei]), Sumatra and Java as well as some of their offshore islands), Sulawesi, the Lesser Sunda Islands (Lombok, Komodo, Flores, Sumbawa, Timor [including Timor-Leste]), and east to the Maluku Islands (Halmahera, Wetar, Damar, Babar, and into the Tanimbar Archipelago).
The eastern distributional limit, sometimes given as the Aru Islands off the southwestern coast of New Guinea, is questionable. They are also found in Sri Lanka (but not India) and in southeastern China (Fujian, Hong Kong, and on Hainan Island).
All members of the genus Cylindrophis share the following five characteristics:
1) A relatively blunt head, not distinct from the neck, with minute eyes and a mental groove.
2) The absence of well-developed ventral scales, with ventral scales only slightly larger than or equal in size to the dorsal scales.
3) The presence of a pair of pelvic spurs in both sexes.
4) A very short tail, often with conspicuous ventral coloration.
5) Contrasting light and dark ventral blotching.
The body is cylindrical, with a near-uniform diameter, which leads to the name "pipe snakes".
All species are small- to medium-sized, with total lengths ranging from 12.5 cm (5 inches) to 85.7 cm (34 inches).
The teeth are moderate and subequal, with 10–12 in each maxilla and none in the premaxilla. There are no fangs and no evidence of venom. The eyes have round or vertically subelliptic pupils.
The head has large symmetrical shields, with the nostrils in a single nasal, which forms a suture with its fellow behind the rostral. Loreal scale is present, a small postocular scale is present. The dorsal scales are smooth, in 17, 19, 21, or 23 rows depending on the species.
When threatened, Cylindrophis flatten the posterior portion of their body and arch it above the ground to display their conspicuous ventral pattern, while the head remains concealed among the body coils.
Only one species, C. yamdena, lacks a bold ventral pattern in most individuals, having instead an orange-pink belly without bands or spots.
Little is known of the foraging or mating behavior of Cylindrophis. At least one species uses constriction to subdue its prey which include elongate vertebrates: reptiles (snakes), amphibians (caecilians), and fish (eels).
Prey are swallowed from one end using rotational movements of the braincase and mandibles, a process that takes up to 30 minutes for larger prey. This is distinct from the 'pterygoid walk' used by most other species of alethinophidian snakes, which have greater mobility of most skull bones than Cylindrophis.
Many recent studies based on molecular data suggest that Cylindrophiidae may be paraphyletic with respect to another family of pipesnakes, Anomochilidae or dwarf pipesnakes. Probably this will be resolved by including Anomochilidae within Cylindrophiidae in the future, but as of May 2018 no formal proposal to do so has been made.
In a broader sense, Cylindrophiidae & Anomochilidae are most closely related to Uropeltidae, a family of burrowing snakes from southern India & Sri Lanka.
These three families are together called the Uropeltoidea and probably last shared a common ancestor in the Eocene, about 45 million years ago. Uropeltoids are probably most closely related to pythonoids and then to booids. These three groups probably last shared a common ancestor in the late Cretaceous, about 75 million years ago.
Cylindrophis is a burrowing snakes and most have a banded pattern on the belly. Currently, 13 species are recognized, all with no subspecies. Common names include Asian pipe snakes or Asian cylinder snakes.
The red-tailed pipe snake, red cylinder snake, or common pipe snake (Cylindrophis ruffus) is a nonvenomous cylindrophiid snake species found in Southeast Asia. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Adults can grow to 39 in (1 m) in length. The dorsal scales are smooth, in 19 or 21 rows, with 186-245 ventrals, which are not quite twice as large as the contiguous dorsal scales; the anal plate is divided, and five to 10 subcaudals.
Compared to other snakes, C. ruffus have a limited gape size. Their primary diet consists of long, thin prey animals including snakes, caecilians, and eels.
Cylindrophis ruffus is a lowland species of asian pipe snake, generally preferring swampy, forested habitats and it leads a burrowing lifestyle.
Its body shape is cylindrical in cross-section and is ideally suited for pushing through soft soil and compacted leaf litter. It feeds mainly on other snakes and eels, and is a good swimmer.
Its body is dark but iridescent, with indistinct lighter, sometimes reddish, bands. The blunt tail has reddish colouration which it displays when threatened.
Typically there is a broad, light band on the back of the neck. There is an irregular pattern of pale bars and blotches on the underside.
Its head is short and blunt, and of the same width as the body, and the eyes are small.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Cylindrophiidae
Genus: Cylindrophis
Species: C. ruffus
Binomial name Cylindrophis ruffus
(Laurenti, 1768)
secretive, semifossorial, non-venomous snakes containing the genus Cylindrophis found in southeastern Asia.
Cylindrophis are found in southeastern Asia from Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and the Malay Archipelago, including Singapore, both peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak, and Indonesia, including the Greater Sunda Islands (Borneo [including Sarawak and Brunei]), Sumatra and Java as well as some of their offshore islands), Sulawesi, the Lesser Sunda Islands (Lombok, Komodo, Flores, Sumbawa, Timor [including Timor-Leste]), and east to the Maluku Islands (Halmahera, Wetar, Damar, Babar, and into the Tanimbar Archipelago).
The eastern distributional limit, sometimes given as the Aru Islands off the southwestern coast of New Guinea, is questionable. They are also found in Sri Lanka (but not India) and in southeastern China (Fujian, Hong Kong, and on Hainan Island).
All members of the genus Cylindrophis share the following five characteristics:
1) A relatively blunt head, not distinct from the neck, with minute eyes and a mental groove.
2) The absence of well-developed ventral scales, with ventral scales only slightly larger than or equal in size to the dorsal scales.
3) The presence of a pair of pelvic spurs in both sexes.
4) A very short tail, often with conspicuous ventral coloration.
5) Contrasting light and dark ventral blotching.
The body is cylindrical, with a near-uniform diameter, which leads to the name "pipe snakes".
All species are small- to medium-sized, with total lengths ranging from 12.5 cm (5 inches) to 85.7 cm (34 inches).
The teeth are moderate and subequal, with 10–12 in each maxilla and none in the premaxilla. There are no fangs and no evidence of venom. The eyes have round or vertically subelliptic pupils.
The head has large symmetrical shields, with the nostrils in a single nasal, which forms a suture with its fellow behind the rostral. Loreal scale is present, a small postocular scale is present. The dorsal scales are smooth, in 17, 19, 21, or 23 rows depending on the species.
When threatened, Cylindrophis flatten the posterior portion of their body and arch it above the ground to display their conspicuous ventral pattern, while the head remains concealed among the body coils.
Only one species, C. yamdena, lacks a bold ventral pattern in most individuals, having instead an orange-pink belly without bands or spots.
Little is known of the foraging or mating behavior of Cylindrophis. At least one species uses constriction to subdue its prey which include elongate vertebrates: reptiles (snakes), amphibians (caecilians), and fish (eels).
Prey are swallowed from one end using rotational movements of the braincase and mandibles, a process that takes up to 30 minutes for larger prey. This is distinct from the 'pterygoid walk' used by most other species of alethinophidian snakes, which have greater mobility of most skull bones than Cylindrophis.
Many recent studies based on molecular data suggest that Cylindrophiidae may be paraphyletic with respect to another family of pipesnakes, Anomochilidae or dwarf pipesnakes. Probably this will be resolved by including Anomochilidae within Cylindrophiidae in the future, but as of May 2018 no formal proposal to do so has been made.
In a broader sense, Cylindrophiidae & Anomochilidae are most closely related to Uropeltidae, a family of burrowing snakes from southern India & Sri Lanka.
These three families are together called the Uropeltoidea and probably last shared a common ancestor in the Eocene, about 45 million years ago. Uropeltoids are probably most closely related to pythonoids and then to booids. These three groups probably last shared a common ancestor in the late Cretaceous, about 75 million years ago.
Cylindrophis is a burrowing snakes and most have a banded pattern on the belly. Currently, 13 species are recognized, all with no subspecies. Common names include Asian pipe snakes or Asian cylinder snakes.
The red-tailed pipe snake, red cylinder snake, or common pipe snake (Cylindrophis ruffus) is a nonvenomous cylindrophiid snake species found in Southeast Asia. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Adults can grow to 39 in (1 m) in length. The dorsal scales are smooth, in 19 or 21 rows, with 186-245 ventrals, which are not quite twice as large as the contiguous dorsal scales; the anal plate is divided, and five to 10 subcaudals.
Compared to other snakes, C. ruffus have a limited gape size. Their primary diet consists of long, thin prey animals including snakes, caecilians, and eels.
Cylindrophis ruffus is a lowland species of asian pipe snake, generally preferring swampy, forested habitats and it leads a burrowing lifestyle.
Its body shape is cylindrical in cross-section and is ideally suited for pushing through soft soil and compacted leaf litter. It feeds mainly on other snakes and eels, and is a good swimmer.
Its body is dark but iridescent, with indistinct lighter, sometimes reddish, bands. The blunt tail has reddish colouration which it displays when threatened.
Typically there is a broad, light band on the back of the neck. There is an irregular pattern of pale bars and blotches on the underside.
Its head is short and blunt, and of the same width as the body, and the eyes are small.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Cylindrophiidae
Genus: Cylindrophis
Species: C. ruffus
Binomial name Cylindrophis ruffus
(Laurenti, 1768)
Ptyas carinata
keeled rat snake
keeled rat snake
T15: 14-03-23
Rat snakes are members along with kingsnakes, milk snakes, vine snakes and indigo snakes of the subfamily Colubrinae of the family Colubridae.
They are medium to large constrictors and are found throughout much of the Northern Hemisphere. They feed primarily on rodents. Many species make attractive and docile pets and one, the corn snake, is one of the most popular reptile pets in the world.
Like all snakes, they can be defensive when approached too closely, handled, or restrained.
However, rat snake bites are not dangerous to humans. Like nearly all colubrids, rat snakes pose no threat to humans. Rat snakes were long believed to be completely nonvenomous, but recent studies have shown that some Old World species do possess small amounts of venom, though the amount is negligible relative to humans.
Previously, most rat snakes were assigned to the genus Elaphe, but many have been since renamed following mitochondrial DNA analysis performed in 2002. For the purpose of this article, names will be harmonized with the TIGR Database.
Rat snakes usually hunt and kill mice and other small animals by grasping with their teeth to prevent escape, wrapping their body around that of the prey, and suffocating the prey by constriction.
All snakes are ectotherm species, meaning they depend on the temperature of the environment to maintain homeostasis.
Although it is predicted that the current rate of climate change will be too rapid for many reptiles and amphibian species to adapt or to evolve, studies have suggested that a warmer climate may actually be beneficial to rat snake species.
Global warming also poses less threats to rat snakes in temperate zones than in tropical zones as rat snake species in temperate zones can tolerate broader ranges of temperature. Global climate change will increase both day and night time temperatures. This will make the night time environment more thermally suitable for rat snakes to hunt, thereby making them more active at night.
Increasing night time activity allows rat snakes to catch larger prey such as birds, since female birds usually incubate their eggs in the nest at night and have decreased ability to detect rat snakes due to poor visibility conditions.
Global warming may also lead to changes in predation. Rat snakes are prey species to predators like hawks. While rat snakes are being hunted during the day, being more active at night due to warmer temperatures may allow rat snakes to be less vulnerable to predation from hawks.
A warming climate also enhances food digestion in rat snakes thereby making them more efficient, which enables rat snake individuals to grow larger in size and allowing them to consume more prey. In comparison to rat snake species at relatively colder regions, rat snake species at lower latitudes tend to be larger in size due to warmer climate conditions.
As the global climate warms, the average body size of rat snakes at higher latitudes will become larger, which will allow the species to catch more prey and thus increase their overall reproductive success.
Increasing temperatures due to climate change have increased the nocturnal activity of rat snakes, especially in warmer climates
As rat snakes are ectothermic species, they require sunlight and heat to maintain their body temperatures.
Ptyas is a genus of colubrid snakes. This genus is one of several colubrid genera colloquially called "rat snakes" or "ratsnakes".
The generic name derives from Ancient Greek
πτυάς, meaning "spitter", which referred to a kind of snake believed to spit venom in the eyes of humans, although in reality none of the Ptyas are known to spit venom.
Colubridae (/kəˈluːbrɪdiː/, commonly known as colubrids /ˈkɒljʊbrɪdz/, from Latin: coluber, 'snake') is a family of snakes. With 249 genera, it is the largest snake family. The earliest species of the family date back to the Oligocene epoch. Colubrid snakes are found on every continent except Antarctica.
While most colubrids are not venomous (or have
venom that is not known to be harmful to humans) and are mostly harmless, a few groups, such as genus Boiga, can produce medically significant injuries. In addition, the boomslang, the twig snakes, and the Asian genus Rhabdophis have caused human fatalities.
Some colubrids are described as opisthoglyphous (often called "rear-fanged"), meaning they have elongated, grooved teeth located in the back of their upper jaws. It is likely that opisthoglyphous dentition evolved many times in the history of snakes and is an evolutionary precursor to the fangs of vipers and
elapids, which are located in the front of the mouth.
Ptyas carinata, commonly known as the keeled rat snake is a species if colubrid snake. It is found in Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Cambodia, India, Vietnam, and Singapore.
P.carinata, body is of moderate thickness and the head is wider than the body with large eye, throat is white or cream and grading to dark grey on the belly.
Front part of body colour is dark brownish grey, middle part of body is black and cream with distinctive chequered pattern, posterior part is predominantly cream scattered with black edged scales and the tail is mainly black with scattered pale spots.
This little known species is probably the largest extant species in the diverse colubrid family that includes just over half of living snake species.
Known adult lengths of snakes of this species in Taiwan measured anywhere from 1.21 to 2.75 m (4 ft 0 in to 9 ft 0 in). However, the reportedly maximum size was about 4 m (13 ft 1 in) and is characterized by different coloration and pattern in front and distal parts of the body
Males reportedly average slightly larger than females. They are probably opportunistic predators on a variety of prey, such as rodents, lizards, frogs and occasionally birds. When threatened it will puff up its neck.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Ptyas
Species: P. carinatus
Binomial name Ptyas carinatus
(Günther, 1858)
They are medium to large constrictors and are found throughout much of the Northern Hemisphere. They feed primarily on rodents. Many species make attractive and docile pets and one, the corn snake, is one of the most popular reptile pets in the world.
Like all snakes, they can be defensive when approached too closely, handled, or restrained.
However, rat snake bites are not dangerous to humans. Like nearly all colubrids, rat snakes pose no threat to humans. Rat snakes were long believed to be completely nonvenomous, but recent studies have shown that some Old World species do possess small amounts of venom, though the amount is negligible relative to humans.
Previously, most rat snakes were assigned to the genus Elaphe, but many have been since renamed following mitochondrial DNA analysis performed in 2002. For the purpose of this article, names will be harmonized with the TIGR Database.
Rat snakes usually hunt and kill mice and other small animals by grasping with their teeth to prevent escape, wrapping their body around that of the prey, and suffocating the prey by constriction.
All snakes are ectotherm species, meaning they depend on the temperature of the environment to maintain homeostasis.
Although it is predicted that the current rate of climate change will be too rapid for many reptiles and amphibian species to adapt or to evolve, studies have suggested that a warmer climate may actually be beneficial to rat snake species.
Global warming also poses less threats to rat snakes in temperate zones than in tropical zones as rat snake species in temperate zones can tolerate broader ranges of temperature. Global climate change will increase both day and night time temperatures. This will make the night time environment more thermally suitable for rat snakes to hunt, thereby making them more active at night.
Increasing night time activity allows rat snakes to catch larger prey such as birds, since female birds usually incubate their eggs in the nest at night and have decreased ability to detect rat snakes due to poor visibility conditions.
Global warming may also lead to changes in predation. Rat snakes are prey species to predators like hawks. While rat snakes are being hunted during the day, being more active at night due to warmer temperatures may allow rat snakes to be less vulnerable to predation from hawks.
A warming climate also enhances food digestion in rat snakes thereby making them more efficient, which enables rat snake individuals to grow larger in size and allowing them to consume more prey. In comparison to rat snake species at relatively colder regions, rat snake species at lower latitudes tend to be larger in size due to warmer climate conditions.
As the global climate warms, the average body size of rat snakes at higher latitudes will become larger, which will allow the species to catch more prey and thus increase their overall reproductive success.
Increasing temperatures due to climate change have increased the nocturnal activity of rat snakes, especially in warmer climates
As rat snakes are ectothermic species, they require sunlight and heat to maintain their body temperatures.
Ptyas is a genus of colubrid snakes. This genus is one of several colubrid genera colloquially called "rat snakes" or "ratsnakes".
The generic name derives from Ancient Greek
πτυάς, meaning "spitter", which referred to a kind of snake believed to spit venom in the eyes of humans, although in reality none of the Ptyas are known to spit venom.
Colubridae (/kəˈluːbrɪdiː/, commonly known as colubrids /ˈkɒljʊbrɪdz/, from Latin: coluber, 'snake') is a family of snakes. With 249 genera, it is the largest snake family. The earliest species of the family date back to the Oligocene epoch. Colubrid snakes are found on every continent except Antarctica.
While most colubrids are not venomous (or have
venom that is not known to be harmful to humans) and are mostly harmless, a few groups, such as genus Boiga, can produce medically significant injuries. In addition, the boomslang, the twig snakes, and the Asian genus Rhabdophis have caused human fatalities.
Some colubrids are described as opisthoglyphous (often called "rear-fanged"), meaning they have elongated, grooved teeth located in the back of their upper jaws. It is likely that opisthoglyphous dentition evolved many times in the history of snakes and is an evolutionary precursor to the fangs of vipers and
elapids, which are located in the front of the mouth.
Ptyas carinata, commonly known as the keeled rat snake is a species if colubrid snake. It is found in Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Cambodia, India, Vietnam, and Singapore.
P.carinata, body is of moderate thickness and the head is wider than the body with large eye, throat is white or cream and grading to dark grey on the belly.
Front part of body colour is dark brownish grey, middle part of body is black and cream with distinctive chequered pattern, posterior part is predominantly cream scattered with black edged scales and the tail is mainly black with scattered pale spots.
This little known species is probably the largest extant species in the diverse colubrid family that includes just over half of living snake species.
Known adult lengths of snakes of this species in Taiwan measured anywhere from 1.21 to 2.75 m (4 ft 0 in to 9 ft 0 in). However, the reportedly maximum size was about 4 m (13 ft 1 in) and is characterized by different coloration and pattern in front and distal parts of the body
Males reportedly average slightly larger than females. They are probably opportunistic predators on a variety of prey, such as rodents, lizards, frogs and occasionally birds. When threatened it will puff up its neck.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Ptyas
Species: P. carinatus
Binomial name Ptyas carinatus
(Günther, 1858)
Phytolopsis punctata
Blackwater mud snake
Blackwater mud snake
Phytolopsis is a genus of snakes belonging to the family Homalopsidae. The species of this genus are found in Southeastern Asia.
Phytolopsis punctata the Blackwater Mud Snake, or Spotted Water Snake, is a secretive species which inhabits muddy or silty streams and shallow ponds in lowland, freshwater swamp forest or peat swamp habitat.
Common name of this species are Blackwater Mud Snake and Spotted Water Snake. It is a non vernomous water snake.
The Blackwater Mud Snake Phytolopsis punctata has most recently been assessed for The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2009 and is listed as Data Deficient.
The Geographic Range Information of this species is endemic to the Sunda Shelf and Peninsular Malaysia and is found from Sumatra and the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia eastwards to eastern and southern Borneo (Murphy 2007). It is possible further surveys will find it in the extreme south of Thailand (Murphy 2007).
It was found for the first time in Singapore in year 2014 in an area of freshwater swamp forest
(Thomas et al, 2014). The wide geographical range of this species may conceal a complex of similar looking species. The major threats to this species are unknown.
P. punctata is dark brown to greyish black in colour, it has patterned with thin broken bright yellow bands on the anterior part of the body and is a ovoviviparous species.
There is round yellow spot in between the eyes, and numerous small yellow spots throughout the rest of the body and tail. The belly is bright yellow and the dorso reflects iridescent when lights is shine on it.
The head is slightly flattened and had the same width as the body, the body is cylindrical in cross-section and the tail is short tapers.
The eyes are small and are situated on top of the head, as are the nostrils, and both features are typical of well-adapted, aquatic snakes.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Homalopsidae
Genus: Phytolopsis Gray, 1849
Species : P. Punctata
Phytolopsis punctata the Blackwater Mud Snake, or Spotted Water Snake, is a secretive species which inhabits muddy or silty streams and shallow ponds in lowland, freshwater swamp forest or peat swamp habitat.
Common name of this species are Blackwater Mud Snake and Spotted Water Snake. It is a non vernomous water snake.
The Blackwater Mud Snake Phytolopsis punctata has most recently been assessed for The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2009 and is listed as Data Deficient.
The Geographic Range Information of this species is endemic to the Sunda Shelf and Peninsular Malaysia and is found from Sumatra and the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia eastwards to eastern and southern Borneo (Murphy 2007). It is possible further surveys will find it in the extreme south of Thailand (Murphy 2007).
It was found for the first time in Singapore in year 2014 in an area of freshwater swamp forest
(Thomas et al, 2014). The wide geographical range of this species may conceal a complex of similar looking species. The major threats to this species are unknown.
P. punctata is dark brown to greyish black in colour, it has patterned with thin broken bright yellow bands on the anterior part of the body and is a ovoviviparous species.
There is round yellow spot in between the eyes, and numerous small yellow spots throughout the rest of the body and tail. The belly is bright yellow and the dorso reflects iridescent when lights is shine on it.
The head is slightly flattened and had the same width as the body, the body is cylindrical in cross-section and the tail is short tapers.
The eyes are small and are situated on top of the head, as are the nostrils, and both features are typical of well-adapted, aquatic snakes.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Homalopsidae
Genus: Phytolopsis Gray, 1849
Species : P. Punctata
Xenopeltis unicolour
Sunbeam
Sunbeam
T7 : 1-11-23
Xenopeltis, the sunbeam snakes, are the sole genus of the monotypic family Xenopeltidae, the species of which are found in Southeast Asia.
Sunbeam snakes are known for their highly iridescent scales. Three species are recognized, each one with no subspecies. Studies of DNA suggest that the
xenopeltids are most closely related to the Mexican burrowing python (Loxocemus bicolor) and to the true pythons (Pythonidae).
Xenopeltis unicolor (In Thai: งูแสงอาทิตย์, ngu saeng aatit) is a non-venomous nocturnal sunbeam snake species found in Southeast Asia and some regions of Indonesia.
Other name : Common sunbeam snake and iridescent earth snake.
Sunbeam snake enjoy moist terrain with lots of damp vegetation and mud in which to burrow until nightfall and can often be found burrowing in the muck or under leaves in open areas such as forest clearings, gardens and parks and often encountered in rice paddies.
Sunbeam snakes are a type of constrictor, killing their prey by suffocation in their muscular coils, they are fossorial and spend most of their time below ground.
The diet is varied, consisting primarily of frogs, reptiles, including other snakes, and small mammals.
They may bite readily if handled roughly but mostly it will just try to escape if picked up. They also observed to vibrate their tails as if in a rattlesnake fashion when they feel threatened.
Xenopeltis unicolor is a primitive snake known for both its highly iridescent scales and its ability to reproduce quickly, as it is oviparous and as such can lay up to 10 eggs at a time. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Fun fact, Sunbeam snakes have two lungs instead of just a single lung like most snake species. An adult Xenopeltis unicolor sunbeam snake grows to an average of about 1m (3 ft 3 in).
They are slender and weigh around two and a quarter pounds when fully grown.
X.unicolour a fossorial species, the head is wedge-shaped and narrow with little neck delineation, which makes it easy to push through the soil.
Their scales are a dark and shiny gunmetal gray, black, or dark brown, with an iridescent holographic finish. In the shadows, the snakes may appear dark pink or purple.
When light hits the scales of a sunbeam snake, the scales appear to be painted with metallic rainbow halos, similar to the colored surface found on an oily puddle on the pavement, or the colored swirls on a child’s soap bubbles. These rainbow halos may show any color of the rainbow, though purple and orange may be harder to pick out.
Their eyes are small in size compared to their wedge-shaped head and are black or gray in color. Albino sunbeam snakes may be pink or white.
Geographic range of this species is found in China (Guangdong and Yunnan), Myanmar, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, West Malaysia, Penang Island, Singapore Island, East Malaysia (Sarawak), Indonesia (the Riau Archipelago, Bangka, Billiton, Sumatra, We, Simalur, Nias, the Mentawai Islands Borneo, Java and Sulawesi) and the Philippines (Balabac, Bongao, Jolo and Palawan). The type locality given is "Java".
Its most defining characteristic is its iridescent, highly polished scales that give this snake its common name.
They have a layer of dark pigmentation just below the surface on each scale that enhances the iridescence. The youngs look very similar to the adults, except that they have a strong white "collar" of scales evident just below the head. This coloration fades within the first year.
They have two cone opsins allowing for the potential of dichromatic color vision.
Animal opsins are a G-protein-coupled receptors a group of proteins made light-sensitive via the chromophore retinal (or a variant).
Most prominently, they are found in photoreceptor cells of the retina. Five classical groups of opsins are involved in vision, mediating the conversion of a photon of light into an electrochemical signal, the first step in the visual transduction cascade.
Another opsin found in the mammalian retina, melanopsin, is involved in circadian rhythms and pupillary reflex but not in vision.
Humans have in total nine opsins. Beside vision and light perception, opsins may also sense temperature, sound, and chemicals.
Opsins are the universal photoreceptor molecules of all visual systems in the animal kingdom. They can change their conformation from a resting state to a signalling state upon light absorption, which activates the G protein, thereby resulting in a signalling cascade that produces physiological responses.
Xenopeltis unicolor is a primitive form of snake with both boid and python characteristics, which family it belongs to is still a matter of debate.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Xenopeltidae
Genus: Xenopeltis
Species: X. unicolor
Binomial name Xenopeltis unicolor
Reinwardt, 1827
Sunbeam snakes are known for their highly iridescent scales. Three species are recognized, each one with no subspecies. Studies of DNA suggest that the
xenopeltids are most closely related to the Mexican burrowing python (Loxocemus bicolor) and to the true pythons (Pythonidae).
Xenopeltis unicolor (In Thai: งูแสงอาทิตย์, ngu saeng aatit) is a non-venomous nocturnal sunbeam snake species found in Southeast Asia and some regions of Indonesia.
Other name : Common sunbeam snake and iridescent earth snake.
Sunbeam snake enjoy moist terrain with lots of damp vegetation and mud in which to burrow until nightfall and can often be found burrowing in the muck or under leaves in open areas such as forest clearings, gardens and parks and often encountered in rice paddies.
Sunbeam snakes are a type of constrictor, killing their prey by suffocation in their muscular coils, they are fossorial and spend most of their time below ground.
The diet is varied, consisting primarily of frogs, reptiles, including other snakes, and small mammals.
They may bite readily if handled roughly but mostly it will just try to escape if picked up. They also observed to vibrate their tails as if in a rattlesnake fashion when they feel threatened.
Xenopeltis unicolor is a primitive snake known for both its highly iridescent scales and its ability to reproduce quickly, as it is oviparous and as such can lay up to 10 eggs at a time. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Fun fact, Sunbeam snakes have two lungs instead of just a single lung like most snake species. An adult Xenopeltis unicolor sunbeam snake grows to an average of about 1m (3 ft 3 in).
They are slender and weigh around two and a quarter pounds when fully grown.
X.unicolour a fossorial species, the head is wedge-shaped and narrow with little neck delineation, which makes it easy to push through the soil.
Their scales are a dark and shiny gunmetal gray, black, or dark brown, with an iridescent holographic finish. In the shadows, the snakes may appear dark pink or purple.
When light hits the scales of a sunbeam snake, the scales appear to be painted with metallic rainbow halos, similar to the colored surface found on an oily puddle on the pavement, or the colored swirls on a child’s soap bubbles. These rainbow halos may show any color of the rainbow, though purple and orange may be harder to pick out.
Their eyes are small in size compared to their wedge-shaped head and are black or gray in color. Albino sunbeam snakes may be pink or white.
Geographic range of this species is found in China (Guangdong and Yunnan), Myanmar, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, West Malaysia, Penang Island, Singapore Island, East Malaysia (Sarawak), Indonesia (the Riau Archipelago, Bangka, Billiton, Sumatra, We, Simalur, Nias, the Mentawai Islands Borneo, Java and Sulawesi) and the Philippines (Balabac, Bongao, Jolo and Palawan). The type locality given is "Java".
Its most defining characteristic is its iridescent, highly polished scales that give this snake its common name.
They have a layer of dark pigmentation just below the surface on each scale that enhances the iridescence. The youngs look very similar to the adults, except that they have a strong white "collar" of scales evident just below the head. This coloration fades within the first year.
They have two cone opsins allowing for the potential of dichromatic color vision.
Animal opsins are a G-protein-coupled receptors a group of proteins made light-sensitive via the chromophore retinal (or a variant).
Most prominently, they are found in photoreceptor cells of the retina. Five classical groups of opsins are involved in vision, mediating the conversion of a photon of light into an electrochemical signal, the first step in the visual transduction cascade.
Another opsin found in the mammalian retina, melanopsin, is involved in circadian rhythms and pupillary reflex but not in vision.
Humans have in total nine opsins. Beside vision and light perception, opsins may also sense temperature, sound, and chemicals.
Opsins are the universal photoreceptor molecules of all visual systems in the animal kingdom. They can change their conformation from a resting state to a signalling state upon light absorption, which activates the G protein, thereby resulting in a signalling cascade that produces physiological responses.
Xenopeltis unicolor is a primitive form of snake with both boid and python characteristics, which family it belongs to is still a matter of debate.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Xenopeltidae
Genus: Xenopeltis
Species: X. unicolor
Binomial name Xenopeltis unicolor
Reinwardt, 1827
Pseudorabdion longiceps
Dwarf reed snake
Dwarf reed snake
Pseudorabdion is a genus of snakes of the family Colubridae. Species in the genus Pseudorabdion
are found in Southeast Asia.
One of the smallest Reed Snakes, Pseudorabdion longiceps (In Thai: งูพงอ้อหัวยาว, ngu pong ao hua yaw)
P. longiceps is a semi-fossorial species typically associated with lowland forests but is also known from road cuts and agricultural land. It has been found in both primary and secondary forest, and is also occur in plantations mainly hiding under logs, rocks or leaf litter.
Its colour varies from black, brown to reddish-brown and it is iridescent in strong sunlight or camera flash. Some specimens may have a pale yellow collar at the back of the head.
The species ranges from southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore to the islands of Borneo.
This dwarf reed is about 18 cm in total length was observed inside the drain at Old Upper Thomson road. When disturbed, it will flip couple of rounds and move into the leaf litter.
P. longiceps is Non-venomous and nocturnal snake inhabits the forest floor where it forages for insects.
There is no information on threats to this species, however as it is common and widespread it is not thought to be subject to any major threats.
Dwarf Reed Snake Pseudorabdion longiceps has most recently been assessed for The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2011. Pseudorabdion longiceps is listed as Least Concern.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Subfamily: Calamariinae
Genus: Pseudorabdion Jan, 1862
Species : Pseudorabdion longiceps (CANTOR, 1847)
are found in Southeast Asia.
One of the smallest Reed Snakes, Pseudorabdion longiceps (In Thai: งูพงอ้อหัวยาว, ngu pong ao hua yaw)
P. longiceps is a semi-fossorial species typically associated with lowland forests but is also known from road cuts and agricultural land. It has been found in both primary and secondary forest, and is also occur in plantations mainly hiding under logs, rocks or leaf litter.
Its colour varies from black, brown to reddish-brown and it is iridescent in strong sunlight or camera flash. Some specimens may have a pale yellow collar at the back of the head.
The species ranges from southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore to the islands of Borneo.
This dwarf reed is about 18 cm in total length was observed inside the drain at Old Upper Thomson road. When disturbed, it will flip couple of rounds and move into the leaf litter.
P. longiceps is Non-venomous and nocturnal snake inhabits the forest floor where it forages for insects.
There is no information on threats to this species, however as it is common and widespread it is not thought to be subject to any major threats.
Dwarf Reed Snake Pseudorabdion longiceps has most recently been assessed for The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2011. Pseudorabdion longiceps is listed as Least Concern.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Subfamily: Calamariinae
Genus: Pseudorabdion Jan, 1862
Species : Pseudorabdion longiceps (CANTOR, 1847)
Dendrelaphis formosus
elegant bronzeback / beautiful bronzeback
(In Thai: งูสายม่านหลังทอง, ngu sai man lang thong)
elegant bronzeback / beautiful bronzeback
(In Thai: งูสายม่านหลังทอง, ngu sai man lang thong)
Dendrelaphis formosus, aka elegant bronzeback also known as the beautiful bronzeback tree snake, is a snake species in the family Colubridae.
(In Thai: งูสายม่านหลังทอง, ngu sai man lang thong)
Head distinct from slender body, eye very large. Head sometimes bulges behind snout to accommodate the eye.
Eyes of male individuals larger than those of female individuals.
Scales along middle of back distinctly enlarged. Bronze brown above, a broad black stripe along the snout, across the eye, and partly down the sides of the body. Side of neck with blue skin between the scales. Underside yellowish green. Three black, narrow lines are present along the rear of the body.
The beautiful bronzeback tree snake is native from southern Thailand, Singapore, Peninsular Malaysia to the islands of Sumatra, Borneo and Java. It inhabits lowland forests up to elevations of 600 m (2,000 ft).
It feeds mainly on tree-dwelling geckoes, frogs and skinks, and is diurnal.
This species is not dangerous to humans.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Dendrelaphis
Species: D. formosus
Binomial name Dendrelaphis formosus (Boie, 1827)
(In Thai: งูสายม่านหลังทอง, ngu sai man lang thong)
Head distinct from slender body, eye very large. Head sometimes bulges behind snout to accommodate the eye.
Eyes of male individuals larger than those of female individuals.
Scales along middle of back distinctly enlarged. Bronze brown above, a broad black stripe along the snout, across the eye, and partly down the sides of the body. Side of neck with blue skin between the scales. Underside yellowish green. Three black, narrow lines are present along the rear of the body.
The beautiful bronzeback tree snake is native from southern Thailand, Singapore, Peninsular Malaysia to the islands of Sumatra, Borneo and Java. It inhabits lowland forests up to elevations of 600 m (2,000 ft).
It feeds mainly on tree-dwelling geckoes, frogs and skinks, and is diurnal.
This species is not dangerous to humans.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Dendrelaphis
Species: D. formosus
Binomial name Dendrelaphis formosus (Boie, 1827)
Ptyas fusca
White bellied rat snake
In Thai:
งูสิงใต้, ngu sing dtai /
งูสิงทอง, ngu sing thong
White bellied rat snake
In Thai:
งูสิงใต้, ngu sing dtai /
งูสิงทอง, ngu sing thong
Ptyas fusca, a non venomous snake commonly known as the white-bellied rat snake or brown rat snake,
(In Thai: งูสิงใต้, ngu sing dtai / งูสิงทอง, ngu sing thong) is a species of colubrid snake.
It inhabits lowland and lower montane forest, to elevations of around 1300 metres.
This snake is often found patrolling forest streams, it preys on aquatic and riparian fauna including frogs, lizards and other small vertebrates.
Its body is elongate and slender and tail is extreamly long and whip like, it has a large eye and the pupils are rounded, tongue is bluish.
The adults range from brown to brick-red colour on the upper surface. Ventral scales are white to pale yellowish in colour. Thick black stripes on either side of the posterior body and tail is a characteristic feature. Adult size of the rat snake is max 3m in length.
Juveniles often greenish in coloration. The pupil is rounded and large.
Its body is elongate and slender, and its tail is extremely long and whip-like. Its head is long and narrow, and distinct from its neck. Its eyes are large, and the pupils are rounded. The base of its tongue is bluish.
When accidentally disturbed it often stays motionless with its neck and anterior part of its body raised, a threatening posture. it may also gently move the anterior part of its body from side to side.
Its typical body colour is brown or reddish-brown, although smaller examples may be greenish.
In terms of field identification, the colour and patterning in the middle section of its body is diagnostic: a broad black stripe separates the brown dorsum from the pale belly. A broken, vertebral stripe may also be present.
This species occurs in southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Borneo, Sumatra and other parts of Indonesia including the islands of Bangka, Belitung and the Natuna Islands in the South China Sea.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Ptyas
Species: P. fusca
Binomial name Ptyas fusca
(Günther, 1858)
(In Thai: งูสิงใต้, ngu sing dtai / งูสิงทอง, ngu sing thong) is a species of colubrid snake.
It inhabits lowland and lower montane forest, to elevations of around 1300 metres.
This snake is often found patrolling forest streams, it preys on aquatic and riparian fauna including frogs, lizards and other small vertebrates.
Its body is elongate and slender and tail is extreamly long and whip like, it has a large eye and the pupils are rounded, tongue is bluish.
The adults range from brown to brick-red colour on the upper surface. Ventral scales are white to pale yellowish in colour. Thick black stripes on either side of the posterior body and tail is a characteristic feature. Adult size of the rat snake is max 3m in length.
Juveniles often greenish in coloration. The pupil is rounded and large.
Its body is elongate and slender, and its tail is extremely long and whip-like. Its head is long and narrow, and distinct from its neck. Its eyes are large, and the pupils are rounded. The base of its tongue is bluish.
When accidentally disturbed it often stays motionless with its neck and anterior part of its body raised, a threatening posture. it may also gently move the anterior part of its body from side to side.
Its typical body colour is brown or reddish-brown, although smaller examples may be greenish.
In terms of field identification, the colour and patterning in the middle section of its body is diagnostic: a broad black stripe separates the brown dorsum from the pale belly. A broken, vertebral stripe may also be present.
This species occurs in southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Borneo, Sumatra and other parts of Indonesia including the islands of Bangka, Belitung and the Natuna Islands in the South China Sea.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Ptyas
Species: P. fusca
Binomial name Ptyas fusca
(Günther, 1858)
Gonyosoma oxycephalum
red-tailed green ratsnake / the red-tailed racer
red-tailed green ratsnake / the red-tailed racer
Gonyosoma oxycephalum is a beautiful non-venomous diurnal and arboreal colubrid.
Gonyosoma oxycephalum, known commonly as the arboreal ratsnake, the red-tailed green ratsnake, and the red-tailed racer, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Southeast Asia.
G. oxycephalum is a robust powerful snake, with wide smooth scales on its belly that are ideal for climbing trees and across branches. It has smaller, smooth scales on its back, which is usually bright green or light green and may have a black net-like pattern. A gray-colored morph with a yellow head exists in Panay, in the Philippines.
As some of its common names indicate, the snake has a green body with a red tail, but is usually brown. It also has a dark line horizontally across the eye. On the sides of its black tongue there may be brown and blue colour. The top of the head may be dark green, yellow-green, or yellow in colour.
The female can reach a length of up to 2.4 m (almost 8 feet), while the male is generally a little bit smaller but brighter in coloration.
The average life span of G. oxycephalum in captivity is 20 years.
G. oxycephalum reaches sexually maturity at 4 years of age, and its eggs have a hatching time from 13 to 16 weeks. The female lays on average between 3 and 8 eggs usually between September and January and the hatchlings are about 45 cm (18 inches) long.
The red-tailed green ratsnake lives and spends its life in the trees and in cavities of trees. It seldom descends to the ground. When the snake is stressed, it may inflate a bag of air in its neck, making it appear larger in size.
In captivity, it has quite the "attitude" and may strike at or bite an unwary handler. Its temperament can be unpredictable and may change from time to time but an individual may become tame through proper handling.
G. oxycephalum feeds almost exclusively on birds, bird eggs, lizards, and bats. It catches them in mid-air while hanging amongst branches. In captivity, it can be trained to feed on rodents such as mice and rats.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Gonyosoma
Species: G. oxycephalum
Binomial name Gonyosoma oxycephalum
(F. Boie, 1827)
Gonyosoma oxycephalum, known commonly as the arboreal ratsnake, the red-tailed green ratsnake, and the red-tailed racer, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Southeast Asia.
G. oxycephalum is a robust powerful snake, with wide smooth scales on its belly that are ideal for climbing trees and across branches. It has smaller, smooth scales on its back, which is usually bright green or light green and may have a black net-like pattern. A gray-colored morph with a yellow head exists in Panay, in the Philippines.
As some of its common names indicate, the snake has a green body with a red tail, but is usually brown. It also has a dark line horizontally across the eye. On the sides of its black tongue there may be brown and blue colour. The top of the head may be dark green, yellow-green, or yellow in colour.
The female can reach a length of up to 2.4 m (almost 8 feet), while the male is generally a little bit smaller but brighter in coloration.
The average life span of G. oxycephalum in captivity is 20 years.
G. oxycephalum reaches sexually maturity at 4 years of age, and its eggs have a hatching time from 13 to 16 weeks. The female lays on average between 3 and 8 eggs usually between September and January and the hatchlings are about 45 cm (18 inches) long.
The red-tailed green ratsnake lives and spends its life in the trees and in cavities of trees. It seldom descends to the ground. When the snake is stressed, it may inflate a bag of air in its neck, making it appear larger in size.
In captivity, it has quite the "attitude" and may strike at or bite an unwary handler. Its temperament can be unpredictable and may change from time to time but an individual may become tame through proper handling.
G. oxycephalum feeds almost exclusively on birds, bird eggs, lizards, and bats. It catches them in mid-air while hanging amongst branches. In captivity, it can be trained to feed on rodents such as mice and rats.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Gonyosoma
Species: G. oxycephalum
Binomial name Gonyosoma oxycephalum
(F. Boie, 1827)
Lycodon subannulatus
Malayan bridle snake / Wolf snake
Malayan bridle snake / Wolf snake
Lycodon is a genus of colubrid snakes, commonly known as wolf snakes. The New Latin name Lycodon is derived from the Greek words λύκος (lykos) meaning wolf and οδόν (odon) meaning tooth, and refers to the fang-like anterior maxillary and mandibular teeth.
In Thai it is name as (ngu plong chanuan malayu)
งูปล้องฉนวนมลายู. It is also known as southern bridle snake, Malayan bridle snake.
Lycodon subannulatus is a species of snake found in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and South Thailand. The genus Lycodon comprises 70 recognized Species.
Bridle snakes are so called because of the resemblance of their slender bodies to the leather straps or 'bridles' used to control horses.
The Malayan Bridle Snake occurs in primary and secondary forests and has a mainly arboreal lifestyle. It is a master climber.
Malayan Bridle Snake occurs in two patterns. The top of the head is brown with yellow pigment for both, where creates a masked appearance.
One pattern consists of five yellow, rough-edged and parallel stripes along the spine to the tail. In second variety, chocolate-brown bands cross the vertebral ridge and extend half-way down the sides of the body.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Subfamily: Colubrinae
Genus: Lycodon
Fitzinger, 1826
Species: subannulatus (Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854)
Synonym: Dryocalamus subannulatus (Duméril, Bibron & Dumeril, 1854)
In Thai it is name as (ngu plong chanuan malayu)
งูปล้องฉนวนมลายู. It is also known as southern bridle snake, Malayan bridle snake.
Lycodon subannulatus is a species of snake found in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and South Thailand. The genus Lycodon comprises 70 recognized Species.
Bridle snakes are so called because of the resemblance of their slender bodies to the leather straps or 'bridles' used to control horses.
The Malayan Bridle Snake occurs in primary and secondary forests and has a mainly arboreal lifestyle. It is a master climber.
Malayan Bridle Snake occurs in two patterns. The top of the head is brown with yellow pigment for both, where creates a masked appearance.
One pattern consists of five yellow, rough-edged and parallel stripes along the spine to the tail. In second variety, chocolate-brown bands cross the vertebral ridge and extend half-way down the sides of the body.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Subfamily: Colubrinae
Genus: Lycodon
Fitzinger, 1826
Species: subannulatus (Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854)
Synonym: Dryocalamus subannulatus (Duméril, Bibron & Dumeril, 1854)
Dendrelaphis pictus
(Painted Bronzeback)
(Painted Bronzeback)
Dendrelaphis pictus (painted bronzeback) is a species of snake found in Southeast Asia and India.
Painted bronzeback the maxillary teeth number from 23 to 26, the eye is as long as the distance between the nostril and eye.
The rostral scale is more broad than deep, and is visible from above. Internasal scales are as long as, or slightly shorter than, the praefrontal scales.
The frontal scale is as long as its distance from the rostral or the tip of the snout, but shorter than the parietal scales. The loreal is long and there is one preocular and two postoculars.
The temporal scales are 2+2, 1+1, or 1+2. There are nine (seven or eight) upper labials, with the fifth and sixth (or fourth to sixth) entering the eye.
This snake has five (four) lower labials in contact with the anterior chin shields the latter shorter than the posterior, which are separated by one anterior and two posterior scales. Scales are in 15 rows, vertebrals about as large as the outer; Ventrals number 151–204, the anal scale is divided, and subcaudals number 103–174.
The snake's colouration is olive or brown above with a yellow lateral stripe, bordered below by a dark line between the outer scales and the ventrals.
A black stripe on each side of the head passes through the eye, widens or breaks up into spots, separated by bluish-green bands on the nape. The upper lip is yellow, and the lower surface yellowish or greenish. Length of head and body approximately 740 mm and the tail 440 mm.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus:Dendrelaphis
Species: D. pictus
Binomial name Dendrelaphis pictus
(Gmelin, 1789)
Painted bronzeback the maxillary teeth number from 23 to 26, the eye is as long as the distance between the nostril and eye.
The rostral scale is more broad than deep, and is visible from above. Internasal scales are as long as, or slightly shorter than, the praefrontal scales.
The frontal scale is as long as its distance from the rostral or the tip of the snout, but shorter than the parietal scales. The loreal is long and there is one preocular and two postoculars.
The temporal scales are 2+2, 1+1, or 1+2. There are nine (seven or eight) upper labials, with the fifth and sixth (or fourth to sixth) entering the eye.
This snake has five (four) lower labials in contact with the anterior chin shields the latter shorter than the posterior, which are separated by one anterior and two posterior scales. Scales are in 15 rows, vertebrals about as large as the outer; Ventrals number 151–204, the anal scale is divided, and subcaudals number 103–174.
The snake's colouration is olive or brown above with a yellow lateral stripe, bordered below by a dark line between the outer scales and the ventrals.
A black stripe on each side of the head passes through the eye, widens or breaks up into spots, separated by bluish-green bands on the nape. The upper lip is yellow, and the lower surface yellowish or greenish. Length of head and body approximately 740 mm and the tail 440 mm.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus:Dendrelaphis
Species: D. pictus
Binomial name Dendrelaphis pictus
(Gmelin, 1789)
Lycodon davisonii
Blanford's bridle snake / wolf snake
Blanford's bridle snake / wolf snake
Lycodon is a genus of colubrid snakes, commonly known as wolf snakes. The New Latin name Lycodon is derived from the Greek words λύκος (lykos) meaning wolf and οδόν (odon) meaning tooth, and refers to the fang-like anterior maxillary and mandibular teeth. The genus Lycodon comprises 64 recognized species.
This species here Lycodon davisonii commonly known as Blanford's bridle snake, Common bridle snake or Bridle snake is a species of harmless colubrid snake endemic to Asia. In Thai it is name : งูปล้องฉนวนอินเดีย
(ngoo plong cha-nuan India)
Blanford's bridle snake is so named because its slim body resembles the bridle used to control horses.
Blanford's bridle Snake occurs in a range of forest types, ranging from lowland areas to lower montane habitats of around 1000 metres elevation. It is also known from forest-edge and grassland settings.
This snake is mainly nocturnal. It is mainly terrestrial but also partly arboreal in habits. Besides on the tree it can also be found at ground level and in bushes..
Its body is long and slender, and its elongated and depressed head is much wider than its body. Its patterning comprises a series of long, dark saddles, and intervening narrower white bars which expand and merge on the flanks. Its underside is immaculate white. There is a median dark stripe on top of the head. Its eyes are large, and bulging.
Geographic range:
L. davisonii is found in Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand and in Singapore.
Etymology:
The specific name, davisonii, is in honor of British ornithologist William Ruxton Davison.
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Lycodon
Species: L. davisonii
Binomial name Lycodon davisonii
(Blanford, 1878)
This species here Lycodon davisonii commonly known as Blanford's bridle snake, Common bridle snake or Bridle snake is a species of harmless colubrid snake endemic to Asia. In Thai it is name : งูปล้องฉนวนอินเดีย
(ngoo plong cha-nuan India)
Blanford's bridle snake is so named because its slim body resembles the bridle used to control horses.
Blanford's bridle Snake occurs in a range of forest types, ranging from lowland areas to lower montane habitats of around 1000 metres elevation. It is also known from forest-edge and grassland settings.
This snake is mainly nocturnal. It is mainly terrestrial but also partly arboreal in habits. Besides on the tree it can also be found at ground level and in bushes..
Its body is long and slender, and its elongated and depressed head is much wider than its body. Its patterning comprises a series of long, dark saddles, and intervening narrower white bars which expand and merge on the flanks. Its underside is immaculate white. There is a median dark stripe on top of the head. Its eyes are large, and bulging.
Geographic range:
L. davisonii is found in Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand and in Singapore.
Etymology:
The specific name, davisonii, is in honor of British ornithologist William Ruxton Davison.
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Lycodon
Species: L. davisonii
Binomial name Lycodon davisonii
(Blanford, 1878)
Pink-headed Reed Snake.
Non Venomous
Non Venomous
Shot at Mandai Track7 on Aug 2019.
This small, attractive, non-venomous snake with a bright pink-red head, and no colouration on the tail. The dark dorsal colour exhibits a blue-green iridescence under strong light. The ventral surface is grey-white and not to confuse this species with the Blue Malayan Coral Snake and the Red headed krait snake.
As with other Reed Snakes this species is a burrowing forest dweller, which feeds on small invertebrates such as worms, sometimes emerging at night to take insects.
It ranges from southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore to the islands of Borneo, Sumatra, Bangkga and Belitung.
Family : COLUBRIDAE
Species : Calamaria schlegeli
Maximum Size : 40 cm
** As for the Blue Malayan Coral Snake it is to recognise by its red head, tail and belly. The dorsal surface is dark blue to black, and most populations have a broad blue stripe on each flank.
And as for the Red headed krait the head is bright red, sometimes orange or yellow, and this colour extends slightly onto the neck. The short tail is also bright red, sometimes orange or yellow, and this colour extends slightly onto the lowermost part of the body. The belly is pale.
The rather blunt head is distinct from the robust body, and the eyes are relatively small.
Two subspecies are recognised : the widespread form being B. f. flaviceps, which occurs throughout the species range, and a lower montane form, B. f. baluensis, which appears restricted to Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. The latter has a more extensive red colouration on the lower body, interspersed with black and white bands.
There is some similarity between this species and the Blue Malayan Coral Snake Calliophis bivirgata, however in the latter the belly is bright red.
Care should be taken not to mistake between the species Pink-headed Reed Snake and the Blue Malayan Coral Snake and the Red headed krait snake.
As with other Reed Snakes this species is a burrowing forest dweller, which feeds on small invertebrates such as worms, sometimes emerging at night to take insects.
It ranges from southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore to the islands of Borneo, Sumatra, Bangkga and Belitung.
Family : COLUBRIDAE
Species : Calamaria schlegeli
Maximum Size : 40 cm
** As for the Blue Malayan Coral Snake it is to recognise by its red head, tail and belly. The dorsal surface is dark blue to black, and most populations have a broad blue stripe on each flank.
And as for the Red headed krait the head is bright red, sometimes orange or yellow, and this colour extends slightly onto the neck. The short tail is also bright red, sometimes orange or yellow, and this colour extends slightly onto the lowermost part of the body. The belly is pale.
The rather blunt head is distinct from the robust body, and the eyes are relatively small.
Two subspecies are recognised : the widespread form being B. f. flaviceps, which occurs throughout the species range, and a lower montane form, B. f. baluensis, which appears restricted to Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. The latter has a more extensive red colouration on the lower body, interspersed with black and white bands.
There is some similarity between this species and the Blue Malayan Coral Snake Calliophis bivirgata, however in the latter the belly is bright red.
Care should be taken not to mistake between the species Pink-headed Reed Snake and the Blue Malayan Coral Snake and the Red headed krait snake.
The above two photos are the Pink-headed Reed Snake.
Non Venomous.
And
Image Below are the two
Highly Venomous snake
with the most bottom shot source from internet
for comparison.
Non Venomous.
And
Image Below are the two
Highly Venomous snake
with the most bottom shot source from internet
for comparison.
Lycodon capucinus
Common wolf snake
Non venomous
Common wolf snake
Non venomous
Shot at Segar Garden Park 19th Sep 2019
Lycodon capucinus, also known as the Oriental wolf snake, Common Wolf Snake (Indian Wolf Snake) In Thai: งูปล้องฉนวนสร้อยเหลือง (ngu plong cha nuan soy lueang) is a species of colubrid snake, which is commonly found in the Indo-Australian Archipelago. Named after their enlarged front teeth, which gives them a muzzled appearance similar to canines, it also makes the snout somewhat more squarish than other snakes.
A slender-bodied small snake that ranges from barely three feet to less than one meter. Most wild-caught specimens usually reach less than these lengths.
Coloration is adapted for life underground and on the forest floor. Shades of jet black, reddish-brown or dark gray with speckles, blotches and spots of white or pale yellow scattered over the body are its usual colors. There is also a distinct white coloration around its neck. Their color patterns vary from one geographic location to another. There are albino-colored ones which are very rare among this snake species. The snout is duck-bill-shaped for digging in soft or sandy ground. They have enlarged front teeth, but these are not used to inject venom. Like many other colubrids, they possess true fangs near the rear of their mouths and they will use these to inject venom into their prey. However, this species is relatively benign (not harmful) to humans.
Though the wolf snake is non-venomous, it is quite a nervous snake when picked up or handled and will not hesitate to bite. They may also move their tails in a to-and-fro motion much like a rattlesnake when they feel threatened. A fossorial animal, it loves burrowing down the earth but is most often found in open ground, on rocks or in low vegetation. Sometimes showing a semi-arboreal behavior. A nocturnal creature, it is most active during the night, but is also observed during daybreak. Most captive specimens become tame after some time and with proper handling.
In the wild, Lycodon capucinus feeds mainly on small lizards such as geckos and they are also among the top predators of skinks which makes it common to humans due to the abundance of prey near and in homes. They may also devour small frogs, if available. In captivity, they may be trained to feed on slender fishes such as goby or lizard-scented pinkie mice, though the latter proves to be harder.
The IUCN listed this species as of 'Least Concern.' Though a very common snake, it is seldom seen. Continuous destruction of primary and secondary forests, conversion of fertile lands to agricultural and residential areas as well as indiscriminate human killings can threaten the survival of this animal. It is endangered in numerous parts of mainland Asia and peninsular Southeast Asia.
This species is known to occur in Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, southern China, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and the Indonesia islands of Sumatra, Borneo, Java, Bali, Sulawesi and the Lesser Sundas.
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Lycodon
Species: L. capucinus
Binomial name Lycodon capucinus
F.Boie, 1827
A slender-bodied small snake that ranges from barely three feet to less than one meter. Most wild-caught specimens usually reach less than these lengths.
Coloration is adapted for life underground and on the forest floor. Shades of jet black, reddish-brown or dark gray with speckles, blotches and spots of white or pale yellow scattered over the body are its usual colors. There is also a distinct white coloration around its neck. Their color patterns vary from one geographic location to another. There are albino-colored ones which are very rare among this snake species. The snout is duck-bill-shaped for digging in soft or sandy ground. They have enlarged front teeth, but these are not used to inject venom. Like many other colubrids, they possess true fangs near the rear of their mouths and they will use these to inject venom into their prey. However, this species is relatively benign (not harmful) to humans.
Though the wolf snake is non-venomous, it is quite a nervous snake when picked up or handled and will not hesitate to bite. They may also move their tails in a to-and-fro motion much like a rattlesnake when they feel threatened. A fossorial animal, it loves burrowing down the earth but is most often found in open ground, on rocks or in low vegetation. Sometimes showing a semi-arboreal behavior. A nocturnal creature, it is most active during the night, but is also observed during daybreak. Most captive specimens become tame after some time and with proper handling.
In the wild, Lycodon capucinus feeds mainly on small lizards such as geckos and they are also among the top predators of skinks which makes it common to humans due to the abundance of prey near and in homes. They may also devour small frogs, if available. In captivity, they may be trained to feed on slender fishes such as goby or lizard-scented pinkie mice, though the latter proves to be harder.
The IUCN listed this species as of 'Least Concern.' Though a very common snake, it is seldom seen. Continuous destruction of primary and secondary forests, conversion of fertile lands to agricultural and residential areas as well as indiscriminate human killings can threaten the survival of this animal. It is endangered in numerous parts of mainland Asia and peninsular Southeast Asia.
This species is known to occur in Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, southern China, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and the Indonesia islands of Sumatra, Borneo, Java, Bali, Sulawesi and the Lesser Sundas.
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Lycodon
Species: L. capucinus
Binomial name Lycodon capucinus
F.Boie, 1827
Dendrelaphis caudolineatus
Striped Bronzeback
Non Venomous
Striped Bronzeback
Non Venomous
Shot at Dairy Farm 2019
Dendrelaphis caudolineatus is a common species of colubrid snake known commonly as the striped bronzeback or bronze tree snake.
It occurs in a variety of habitats including closed forests, open secondary growth and scrubland. It is active by day, and is generally arboreal preferring to move amongst low trees and shrubs. It often comes to ground, however, and has been sighted in grassy areas near to woodlands as well as the margins of water bodies, probably in search of frogs.
The species is best identified on the basis of its thick black lateral stripes on a white background, and its brown dorsal surface. It lacks the black eye-stripe which is present in most other bronzebacks. The top of the head and neck are bronze.
The eye is large, and the head somewhat wider than the moderately slender body. Unlike other bronzebacks, the vertebral scales are not enlarged but are narrow in shape. Its lower cheeks and lips are pale yellow.
In addition to frogs, this snake also feeds on lizards and, reportedly, young birds in their nest.
The Striped Bronzeback ranges from southern Thailand, through Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore to Sumatra, Java, Borneo and the Philippines.
It is erroneously called 'garter snake' in the Philippines. It is not venomous and it is the most commonly sold snake as a pet. Though in captivity, they don't live as long as in the wild.
Dendrelaphis caudolineatus is a rather small and thin snake, it can reach a length of 180 centimeters but is usually closer to 140 cm.
The males are usually thinner than females but are more colorful, ranging from a reddish shade or bright chestnut brown, to a shiny bronze color.
The females are usually dull-colored, and more stout-bodied than the males.
It is also observed that females of this species tend to be less active than the males.
It is mostly arboreal but rarely climbs higher than 4 meters and is mostly found in the open ground or on grassy plains. It has been recorded in most habitats in its range, from coastal lowlands to mountainous areas up to 1500 in elevation. It feeds mainly on lizards and tree frogs.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Dendrelaphis
Species: D. caudolineatus
It occurs in a variety of habitats including closed forests, open secondary growth and scrubland. It is active by day, and is generally arboreal preferring to move amongst low trees and shrubs. It often comes to ground, however, and has been sighted in grassy areas near to woodlands as well as the margins of water bodies, probably in search of frogs.
The species is best identified on the basis of its thick black lateral stripes on a white background, and its brown dorsal surface. It lacks the black eye-stripe which is present in most other bronzebacks. The top of the head and neck are bronze.
The eye is large, and the head somewhat wider than the moderately slender body. Unlike other bronzebacks, the vertebral scales are not enlarged but are narrow in shape. Its lower cheeks and lips are pale yellow.
In addition to frogs, this snake also feeds on lizards and, reportedly, young birds in their nest.
The Striped Bronzeback ranges from southern Thailand, through Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore to Sumatra, Java, Borneo and the Philippines.
It is erroneously called 'garter snake' in the Philippines. It is not venomous and it is the most commonly sold snake as a pet. Though in captivity, they don't live as long as in the wild.
Dendrelaphis caudolineatus is a rather small and thin snake, it can reach a length of 180 centimeters but is usually closer to 140 cm.
The males are usually thinner than females but are more colorful, ranging from a reddish shade or bright chestnut brown, to a shiny bronze color.
The females are usually dull-colored, and more stout-bodied than the males.
It is also observed that females of this species tend to be less active than the males.
It is mostly arboreal but rarely climbs higher than 4 meters and is mostly found in the open ground or on grassy plains. It has been recorded in most habitats in its range, from coastal lowlands to mountainous areas up to 1500 in elevation. It feeds mainly on lizards and tree frogs.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Dendrelaphis
Species: D. caudolineatus
Reticulated python
(Malayopython reticulatus)
(Malayopython reticulatus)
The reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) is a snake species in the family Pythonidae native to South and Southeast Asia. It is the world's longest snake and listed as least concern on the IUCN Red List because of its wide distribution. In several range countries, it is hunted for its skin, for use in traditional medicine, and for sale as a pet.
It is an excellent swimmer, has been reported far out at sea and has colonized many small islands within its range.
It is among the three heaviest snakes.
Like all pythons, it is a non-venomous constrictor. People have been killed (and in at least two reported cases, eaten) by reticulated pythons.
The reticulated python has smooth dorsal scales that are arranged in 69–79 rows at midbody. Deep pits occur on four anterior upper labials, on two or three anterior lower labials, and on five or six posteriorlower labials.
The reticulated python is the largest snake native to Asia. More than a thousand wild reticulated pythons in southern Sumatra were studied and estimated to have a length range of 1.5 to 6.5 m (4.9 to 21.3 ft) and a weight range of 1 to 75 kg (2.2 to 165.3 lb). Reticulated pythons with lengths more than 6 m (19.7 ft) are rare, though according to the Guinness Book of World Records, it is the only extant snake to regularly exceed that length. One of the largest scientifically measured specimens, from Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, was measured under anesthesia at 6.95 m (22.8 ft) and weighed 59 kg (130 lb) after not having eaten for nearly 3 months.
The reticulated python lives in rain forests, woodlands, and nearby grasslands.
As with all pythons, the reticulated python is an ambush hunter, usually waiting until prey wanders within strike range before seizing it in its coils and killing by constriction.
Its natural diet includes mammals and occasionally birds. Small specimens up to 3–4 m (9.8–13.1 ft) long eat mainly rodentssuch as rats, whereas larger individuals switch to prey such as small Indian civet and binturong, primates, and pigs weighing more than 60 kg (130 lb).
As a rule, the reticulated python seems able to swallow prey up to one-quarter its own length and up to its own weight. Near human habitation, it is known to snatch stray chickens, cats, and dogs on occasion. Among the largest documented prey items are a half-starved sun bear of 23 kg (51 lb) that was eaten by a 6.95 m (22.8 ft) specimen and took some 10 weeks to digest. At least one case is reported of a foraging python entering a forest hut and taking a child.
The reticulated python is oviparous, adult females lay between 15 and 80 eggs per clutch. At an optimum incubation temperature of 31–32 °C (88–90 °F), the eggs take an average of 88 days to hatch. Hatchlings are at least 61 cm (2 ft) in length.
The reticulated python is among the few snakes that prey on humans. Attacks on humans are not common, but this species has been responsible for several reported human fatalities, in both the wild and captivity. Considering the known maximum prey size, a full-grown reticulated python can open its jaws wide enough to swallow a human, but the width of the shoulders of some adult Homo sapiens can pose a problem for even a snake with sufficient size.
Reports of human fatalities and human consumption (the latest examples of consumption of an adult human being well authenticated) include:
In early 20th-century Indonesia: On Salibabu island, North Sulawesi, a 14-year-old boy was killed and supposedly eaten by a specimen 5.17 m (17.0 ft) in length. Another incident involved a woman reputedly eaten by a "large reticulated python", but few details are known.
In the early 1910s or in 1927, a jeweller went hunting with his friends and was apparently eaten by a 6 m (19.7 ft) python after he sought shelter from a rainstorm in or under a tree. Supposedly, he was swallowed feet-first, contrary to normal snake behaviour, but perhaps the easiest way for a snake to actually swallow a human.
In 1932, Frank Buck wrote about a teenaged boy who was eaten by a pet 25 ft (7.6 m) reticulated python in the Philippines. According to Buck, the python escaped, and when it was found, a human child's shape was recognized inside the snake, and turned out to be the son of the snake's owner. [citation needed] Among a small group of Aeta negritos in the Philippines, six deaths by pythons were said to have been documented within a period of 40 years, plus one who died later of an infected bite.
In September 1995, a 29-year-old rubber tapper from the southern Malaysian state of Johor, was reported to have been killed by a large reticulated python. The victim had apparently been caught unaware and was squeezed to death. The snake had coiled around the lifeless body with the victim's head gripped in its jaws when it was stumbled upon by the victim's brother. The python, reported as measuring 23 ft (7.0 m) long and weighing more than 300 lb, was killed soon after by the arriving police, who shot it four times.
In October 2008, a 25-year-old woman appeared to have been killed by a 13-foot (4.0 m) pet reticulated python. The apparent cause of death was asphyxiation. The snake was later found in the bedroom in an agitated state.
In January 2009, a 3-year-old boy was wrapped in the coils of a 18 ft (5.5 m) pet reticulated python, turning blue. The boy's mother, who had been petsitting the python on behalf of a friend, rescued the toddler by gashing the python with a knife. The snake was later euthanized because of its wounds.
In December 2013, a 59-year-old security guard was strangled to death while trying to capture a python near the Bali Hyatt, a luxury hotel on Indonesia's resort island. The incident happened around 3 am as the 4.5-m (15-ft) python was crossing a road near the hotel. The victim had offered to help capture the snake, which had been spotted several times before near the hotel in the Sanur, Bali, area and escaped back into nearby bushes.
In March 2017, the body of Akbar Salubiro, a 25-year-old farmer in Central Mamuju Regency, West Sulawesi, Indonesia, was found inside the stomach of a 7 m (23 ft) reticulated python. He had been declared missing from his palm tree plantation, and the people searching for him found the python the next day with a large bulge in its stomach. They killed the python and found the whole body of the missing farmer inside. This was the first fully confirmed case of a person being eaten by a python. The process of retrieving the body from the python's stomach was documented by pictures and videos taken by witnesses.
In June 2018, a 54-year-old Indonesian woman in Muna Island, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, was killed and eaten by a 23-ft python. The woman went missing one night while working in her garden, and the next day, a search party was organized after some of her belongings were found abandoned in the garden. The python was found near the garden with a large bulge in its body. The snake was killed and carried into town, where it was cut open, revealing the woman's body completely intact.
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Pythonidae
Genus: Malayopython
Species: M. reticulatus
Binomial name Malayopython reticulatus
It is an excellent swimmer, has been reported far out at sea and has colonized many small islands within its range.
It is among the three heaviest snakes.
Like all pythons, it is a non-venomous constrictor. People have been killed (and in at least two reported cases, eaten) by reticulated pythons.
The reticulated python has smooth dorsal scales that are arranged in 69–79 rows at midbody. Deep pits occur on four anterior upper labials, on two or three anterior lower labials, and on five or six posteriorlower labials.
The reticulated python is the largest snake native to Asia. More than a thousand wild reticulated pythons in southern Sumatra were studied and estimated to have a length range of 1.5 to 6.5 m (4.9 to 21.3 ft) and a weight range of 1 to 75 kg (2.2 to 165.3 lb). Reticulated pythons with lengths more than 6 m (19.7 ft) are rare, though according to the Guinness Book of World Records, it is the only extant snake to regularly exceed that length. One of the largest scientifically measured specimens, from Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, was measured under anesthesia at 6.95 m (22.8 ft) and weighed 59 kg (130 lb) after not having eaten for nearly 3 months.
The reticulated python lives in rain forests, woodlands, and nearby grasslands.
As with all pythons, the reticulated python is an ambush hunter, usually waiting until prey wanders within strike range before seizing it in its coils and killing by constriction.
Its natural diet includes mammals and occasionally birds. Small specimens up to 3–4 m (9.8–13.1 ft) long eat mainly rodentssuch as rats, whereas larger individuals switch to prey such as small Indian civet and binturong, primates, and pigs weighing more than 60 kg (130 lb).
As a rule, the reticulated python seems able to swallow prey up to one-quarter its own length and up to its own weight. Near human habitation, it is known to snatch stray chickens, cats, and dogs on occasion. Among the largest documented prey items are a half-starved sun bear of 23 kg (51 lb) that was eaten by a 6.95 m (22.8 ft) specimen and took some 10 weeks to digest. At least one case is reported of a foraging python entering a forest hut and taking a child.
The reticulated python is oviparous, adult females lay between 15 and 80 eggs per clutch. At an optimum incubation temperature of 31–32 °C (88–90 °F), the eggs take an average of 88 days to hatch. Hatchlings are at least 61 cm (2 ft) in length.
The reticulated python is among the few snakes that prey on humans. Attacks on humans are not common, but this species has been responsible for several reported human fatalities, in both the wild and captivity. Considering the known maximum prey size, a full-grown reticulated python can open its jaws wide enough to swallow a human, but the width of the shoulders of some adult Homo sapiens can pose a problem for even a snake with sufficient size.
Reports of human fatalities and human consumption (the latest examples of consumption of an adult human being well authenticated) include:
In early 20th-century Indonesia: On Salibabu island, North Sulawesi, a 14-year-old boy was killed and supposedly eaten by a specimen 5.17 m (17.0 ft) in length. Another incident involved a woman reputedly eaten by a "large reticulated python", but few details are known.
In the early 1910s or in 1927, a jeweller went hunting with his friends and was apparently eaten by a 6 m (19.7 ft) python after he sought shelter from a rainstorm in or under a tree. Supposedly, he was swallowed feet-first, contrary to normal snake behaviour, but perhaps the easiest way for a snake to actually swallow a human.
In 1932, Frank Buck wrote about a teenaged boy who was eaten by a pet 25 ft (7.6 m) reticulated python in the Philippines. According to Buck, the python escaped, and when it was found, a human child's shape was recognized inside the snake, and turned out to be the son of the snake's owner. [citation needed] Among a small group of Aeta negritos in the Philippines, six deaths by pythons were said to have been documented within a period of 40 years, plus one who died later of an infected bite.
In September 1995, a 29-year-old rubber tapper from the southern Malaysian state of Johor, was reported to have been killed by a large reticulated python. The victim had apparently been caught unaware and was squeezed to death. The snake had coiled around the lifeless body with the victim's head gripped in its jaws when it was stumbled upon by the victim's brother. The python, reported as measuring 23 ft (7.0 m) long and weighing more than 300 lb, was killed soon after by the arriving police, who shot it four times.
In October 2008, a 25-year-old woman appeared to have been killed by a 13-foot (4.0 m) pet reticulated python. The apparent cause of death was asphyxiation. The snake was later found in the bedroom in an agitated state.
In January 2009, a 3-year-old boy was wrapped in the coils of a 18 ft (5.5 m) pet reticulated python, turning blue. The boy's mother, who had been petsitting the python on behalf of a friend, rescued the toddler by gashing the python with a knife. The snake was later euthanized because of its wounds.
In December 2013, a 59-year-old security guard was strangled to death while trying to capture a python near the Bali Hyatt, a luxury hotel on Indonesia's resort island. The incident happened around 3 am as the 4.5-m (15-ft) python was crossing a road near the hotel. The victim had offered to help capture the snake, which had been spotted several times before near the hotel in the Sanur, Bali, area and escaped back into nearby bushes.
In March 2017, the body of Akbar Salubiro, a 25-year-old farmer in Central Mamuju Regency, West Sulawesi, Indonesia, was found inside the stomach of a 7 m (23 ft) reticulated python. He had been declared missing from his palm tree plantation, and the people searching for him found the python the next day with a large bulge in its stomach. They killed the python and found the whole body of the missing farmer inside. This was the first fully confirmed case of a person being eaten by a python. The process of retrieving the body from the python's stomach was documented by pictures and videos taken by witnesses.
In June 2018, a 54-year-old Indonesian woman in Muna Island, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, was killed and eaten by a 23-ft python. The woman went missing one night while working in her garden, and the next day, a search party was organized after some of her belongings were found abandoned in the garden. The python was found near the garden with a large bulge in its body. The snake was killed and carried into town, where it was cut open, revealing the woman's body completely intact.
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Pythonidae
Genus: Malayopython
Species: M. reticulatus
Binomial name Malayopython reticulatus