Snakes are some of the most feared animals on the planet. Their mysterious ways and fascinating appearance can captivate even the most disinterested. One of those snakes is the Oxybelis fulgidus.
Oxybelis fulgidus, more commonly known as the green vine snake or flatbread snake, is a mildly venomous snake known for its bright green coloration and long, large, pointy head. These snakes are famous as pets because of their distinctly aerodynamic heads and very large mouths.
There is so much more to this snake than its large mouth and bright green color. In the rest of this article, we will learn about its appearance, size, life span, habitat, and how it interacts with humans, so read on!
All About Oxybelis Fulgidus
Oxybelis fulgidus is the scientific name for the slender, bright-green snake commonly found in Central and South America.
It is more commonly called the green vine snake or flatbread snake, but in South America, it also goes by the names bejuca lora, bejuquilla verde, cobra cipo, and cobra bicuda.
Many people confuse the green vine snake with Ahaetulla nasuta or the Sri Lankan green vine snake. What doesn’t help is that this species is also sometimes just called the green vine snake, just like the Oxybelis fulgidus. Their appearance is also quite similar, as both vine snakes are bright green, with long, pointy heads and large mouths.
However, the Sri Lankan green vine snake does not grow as large as its South/Central American counterpart. The Oxybelis can grow up to 2 meters (6.56 ft) long, while the Ahaetulla only grows up to almost 1.5 meters (4.92 ft). But perhaps the most obvious difference between the two is where they can be found.
The Oxybelis can be found in South and Central American countries such as Mexico and Bolivia, while the Ahaetulla is endemic in Sir Lanka. Also, Ahaetulla can be green but come in other colors, such as brown and gray. Whereas Oxybelis fulgidus all have a green coloration.
What is The Oxybelis Fulgidus?
Oxybelis fulgidus is a mildly venomous snake endemic to Central and South America.
They are known for their slender body, elongated and pointy heads, large mouths, and prehensile tails. Though they have venom, they are known to be non-aggressive, making them great pets.
However, though they are quite easy to maintain and handle, it is not advisable to approach one in the wild without sufficient knowledge of handling snakes and the behavior of this species. They may not be aggressive, but there have been reports of green vine snakes biting humans in the wild.
Appearance and Size
Green vine snakes are very slender snakes, roughly only 2 cm (0.78 inches) in thickness. They are also the largest among all vine snakes and can grow up to 2 meters long (6.56 ft).
They are bright green and have keeled scales on their dorsal side arranged in 17 rows. Two yellowish stripes can be seen running along the side of its belly and tail.
Their tails are also long and delicate in appearance but don’t mistake these as weak parts of the green vine’s body. The green vine snake has a prehensile tail that is quite powerful and allows them to hang their bodies from tree branches as they lie in wait for prey.
But perhaps the most interesting feature of this species is their pointy, aerodynamically shaped head. Their mouths are nearly as large as their heads, making them beautiful when they open their mouth to secure their prey. This snout is so large it’s three times the diameter of the green vine snake’s eye.
Their eyes are large, round, and iris in color, with black pupils at the center. Unlike most snakes whose eyes can function separately from each other, green vine snakes’ eyes function as one, which helps them focus on target prey.
Life Span
Green vine snakes have a long life span of up to 15 years.
In the wild, however, snakes typically have shorter life spans because they are at the mercy of changing environments and vulnerable to other predators, such as birds of prey. Green vine snakes are also most vulnerable to large birds because of their arboreal nature.
Surprisingly, they are also known to be experts at catching small birds, such as hummingbirds. With their bright green bodies, they can hide among the leaves of trees. But they have also been observed to position themselves right next to a flower to make catching birds easy.
With proper care, green vine snakes can live up to 15 years in captivity. They are great pets because they don’t need much attention to thrive. One of the main things they need is a large terrarium at least 2 meters (6.56 ft) high and regular feeding of small mammals, like mice.
Diet and Behavior
Green vine snakes are carnivores that feed on reptiles like lizards, frogs, and mice. Larger ones may even be able to catch rats.
They are also known to be ambush predators, typically hanging from tree branches in the wild, waiting for prey to approach before they strike. But unlike other snakes, they do not strike instantly.
They would let themselves down into the forest ground, following their target a short distance, sniffing and assessing whether it would be a good catch. And when it is satisfied with the prey, it will strike the small animal’s head, lift it from the ground, so it is rendered helpless, and then bite on its head with two teeth at the back of its mouth.
It will also typically chew on its prey to release the saliva from its back teeth, immobilizing the prey. Once that’s accomplished, the green vine snake will swallow its prey.
When they are full, green vine snakes usually climb to tree tops or look for a safe place to hide and digest their food. Being diurnal, they sleep at night and are active in the daytime. They also are known to be solitary creatures that only come together with others snakes when it’s time to mate.
Mating Habits
Unfortunately, very little is known about the mating behavior of green vine snakes. It is believed that females and males have a synchronized reproductive pattern, enabling them to find each other when they reach sexual maturity.
Female green vine snakes also have larger heads and shorter tails than males.
Females lay 6 to 10 eggs in one clutch. Incubation normally lasts 100 days, after which snakelets emerge from the shells. It doesn’t take long afterward for the snakelets to reach sexual maturity.
Interestingly, females are often found with prey still digesting in their bodies while breeding. And since they are diurnal and arboreal animals, mating behaviors commonly occur in the trees.
Lifestyle
Green vine snakes are solitary animals. They spend most of their time alone, hidden in the tops of trees. They only come down to the ground when in search of or after prey or looking for a mate.
Especially in the wild, they do not eat daily. Instead, they typically fill their bellies about twice a week–or more when food is abundant. In captivity, it’s advised to maintain the same feeding schedule.
Unlike most snakes, they are diurnal creatures, active during the day and asleep at night. They are not active hunters but are ambush predators waiting for prey to approach before striking. And when they do, their venom is quick to immobilize their catch.
Green vine snakes can usually be found in treetops when at rest or breeding.
Habitat
The Oxybelis fulgidus is endemic to South and Central America, particularly in Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and Costa Rica. They thrive in tropical rainforests, montane forests, gallery forests, and even sandy beaches and prefer a tropical climate.
Because of their coloration, they are happiest areas with thick vegetation and lush forests. These are places where they can most effectively camouflage among leaves, making it hard for humans and predators to detect them.
While they spend time on the ground, these trips down from the treetops are often brief and only meant to catch prey.
Interaction with Humans
These snakes are not aggressive and are only mildly venomous. Their venom is effective in immobilizing small prey, like lizards and mice, but it does not have the same effect on humans.
They need to bite and chew on their prey for their saliva to deliver their venom, which takes a bit of time, requiring green vine snakes to hold fast to their prey.
Humans, however, will not be effectively kept in place by their teeth, making venom delivery ineffective. And even if venom is delivered, it is nowhere near as dangerous as other venomous snakes’ and can only cause mild discomforts, like pain from the bite.