Sri Lanka snake (i.d. please) (1 Viewer)

[Jos Stratford]

Photographed in the forest at Kitulgala in Sri Lanka, maybe someone can put a name to this small snake (was only 50-60 cm).

 

[Bushbaby]

I have no idea but that is Darn cute!!! Nice shot!! Do you have any full body shots??

 

[Ranger James]

Is it a type of vine snake? Head lokos to be distended with an ocular ridge?
James

 

[Dr Manjeet Singh]

Photographed in the forest at Kitulgala in Sri Lanka, maybe someone can put a name to this small snake (was only 50-60 cm).

I may be wrong but i belive this is juvnile WOLF snake(Lycondon aulicus) -the are called wolf snakes because -they have rather largefront teeth.

 

[Bushbaby]

That's so strange. The Wolf snakes you find in SA have large back fangs. I would think it's a more arboreal snake though. Possibly some kind of vine snake.

 

[Bushbaby]

http://members.fortunecity.com/ukp001/naja/flist.htm

 

[Jos Stratford]

Thanks for all the suggestions so far. If it adds anything, though the photograph appears to show the snake climbing in a tree, it did actually stick to the ground, merely going through branches where they were obstacles. I have a full picture of the snake and will post that later.

 

[Ghostly Vision]

The only snake we saw at Kitulgala that looked anythinglike that was Green Whip snake. Don't have my pics to hand, but could it be that?

That was more arboreal, though, and moved jerkily, looking very much like the branch of one of the trees it was pretending to be!!

If I can find a pic, I'll upload it.

GV

 

[Jos Stratford]

The only snake we saw at Kitulgala that looked anythinglike that was Green Whip snake. Don't have my pics to hand, but could it be that?

That was more arboreal, though, and moved jerkily, looking very much like the branch of one of the trees it was pretending to be!!

This one moved in 'typical' snake fashion along the ground, fairly speedily and 'smooth' ...though if it is the same species and so also arboreal, it could perhaps move more in the method you describe when not on the ground?

 

[LAF]

Hi Jos, the snake in your picture is a Bronzeback (genus Dendrelaphis). They're a relatively abundant group with several species occuring on Sri Lanka . I wouldn't like to hazard a guess at which species I'm affraid. They're highly active diurnal snakes that feed mainly on small lizards. They are rear fanged but with mild venom not reported to have had any effects on humans.

Hope this helps, Lee.