Types of tree snakes

Phisalixella is a small genus of slender, arboreal snakes endemic to Madagascar. It belongs to the family Pseudoxyrhophiidae, a group that makes up the bulk of Madagascar's snake fauna. These snakes evolved on the island in isolation, which is why the family is concentrated there and on the nearby Comoros, with close relatives in mainland Africa.

The members in this database, the White Banded Tree Snake, the Orange Tree Snake, and the Western Banded Tree Snake, reflect the genus name people most often use when searching: banded or tree snakes from Madagascar. As the names suggest, these are climbing snakes, built long and thin with large eyes, well suited to moving through branches and foliage. Many show banded or contrasting color patterns along the body.

In general terms you recognize this group by its slim build, relatively long tail, and a head that is somewhat distinct from the neck, along with the arboreal habits and the banded or boldly marked patterning that gives several species their common names. Identifying an individual snake to species is difficult from appearance alone and is best left to regional field guides and herpetologists, since several Madagascar tree snakes look broadly similar.

Like most members of the family Pseudoxyrhophiidae, these snakes are rear-fanged. They have enlarged teeth toward the back of the upper jaw and a mild oral secretion used to subdue small prey, not a front-fang venom delivery system like that of vipers or cobras. They are not considered dangerous to people and there is no record of them causing serious harm to humans. Even so, no wild snake should be handled. A bite from any rear-fanged snake can cause local irritation, and misidentification of a wild snake is a real risk. If a bite occurs, do not attempt home treatment; contact emergency services or, in the United States, Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

Ecologically, Madagascar tree snakes of this type are active hunters in trees and shrubs, typically feeding on small vertebrates such as lizards and frogs, which are abundant on the island. Like most pseudoxyrhophiids they are egg-laying. Detailed natural history for individual species in this genus is limited in the scientific literature, so the most reliable picture comes from the well-documented patterns of the family and the Malagasy region rather than species-by-species claims.