Colubridae
Indochinese Long-nosed Whipsnake
HarmlessAhaetulla fusca
The Indochinese Long-nosed Whipsnake (Ahaetulla fusca) is a rear-fanged, mildly venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 30 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Indochinese Long-nosed Whipsnake
Ahaetulla fusca (Indochinese Long Nosed Vine Snake), is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is found throughout Southeast Asia
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Description
Adults can grow up to 2 meters in length and are characterized by a slender body, a prehensile tail, and an elongated, pointed head. The species displays an emerald green coloration, lighter on the belly, with black and white interstitial skin. It has horizontal pupils and a distinctly elongated snout, sometimes slightly upturned.
Range and Habitat
This species is found from Myanmar and Thailand to Cambodia and south Vietnam. A. fusca primarily inhabits lowland dry forests but is also commonly found in disturbed habitats, where it adapts well to altered environments.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Indochinese Long-nosed Whipsnake
- Is the Indochinese Long-nosed Whipsnake venomous?
- The Indochinese Long-nosed Whipsnake (Ahaetulla fusca) is rear-fanged and only mildly venomous. It is not considered dangerous to humans (its venom is weak and its fangs sit at the back of the mouth) but a bite can cause local swelling or irritation, so it should not be handled.
- Is the Indochinese Long-nosed Whipsnake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Indochinese Long-nosed Whipsnake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Indochinese Long-nosed Whipsnake dangerous?
- The Indochinese Long-nosed Whipsnake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Indochinese Long-nosed Whipsnake live?
- The Indochinese Long-nosed Whipsnake has verified records in 30 countries, including Indonesia, India, Singapore. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
By U.S. state
More Colubridae snakes
Oriental WhipsnakeAhaetulla prasina
Indian Vine SnakeAhaetulla oxyrhynca
Northern Western Ghats Vine SnakeAhaetulla borealis
Long-nosed WhipsnakeAhaetulla nasuta
Malayan WhipsnakeAhaetulla mycterizans
Farnsworth's Vine SnakeAhaetulla farnsworthi
Malabar Vine SnakeAhaetulla malabarica
Wall's Vine SnakeAhaetulla isabellina
Classification
How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.
- OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards
- Squamata
- FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits
- Colubridae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Ahaetulla
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Ahaetulla fusca
Keep learning
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What Is a Snake? Anatomy and the BasicsA clear overview of what makes a snake a snake: limbless body plan, anatomy, evolution from lizards, species diversity, and why they are ectothermic.
- How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard and HomeA practical guide to keeping snakes out of your yard and home using habitat changes that work, plus what to skip and what to do if one shows up.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.