Ahaetulla

Ahaetulla is a genus of colubrid snakes commonly referred to as vine snakes, or whip snakes. They are considered by some scientists to be mildly venomous and are what is commonly termed as 'rear-fanged' or more appropriately, opisthoglyphous, meaning their enlarged teeth or fangs, intended to aid in venom delivery, are located in the back of the upper jaw, instead of in the front as they are in vipers or cobras. As colubrids, Ahaetulla do not possess a true venom gland or a sophisticated venom delivery system. The Duvernoy's gland of this genus, homologous to the venom gland of true venomous snakes, produces a secretion which, though not well studied, is considered not to be medically significant to humans.

Ahaetulla
Ahaetulla dispar
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Subfamily: Ahaetuliinae
Genus: Ahaetulla
Link, 1807

Geographic range

They are found from Sri Lanka and India to China and much of Southeast Asia, including many Pacific Islands.

Species

The taxonomy of vine snakes is not well-documented, and literature varies widely, but there are 9 - 10 commonly accepted species in the genus Ahaetulla:

The monotypic genus Proahaetulla, described only in 2019, is considered the sister taxon to all members of the genus Ahaetulla. They diverged from each other as early as the mid-Oligocene.[1]

Ahaetulla prasina, showing keyhole shaped pupil

Description

All Ahaetulla species are characterized by thin, elongated bodies, with extremely long tails and a sharply triangular shaped head. They are primarily green in color, but can vary quite a bit to yellows, oranges, greys, and browns. They can have black and/or white patterning, or can be solid in color. Their eyes are almost unique in the reptile world, having keen binocular vision and keyhole shaped pupils, being similar in this aspect with twig snakes, who also have keyhole shaped pupils.

Etymology
Ahaetulla nasuta, Ezhimala, Kerala, India. Note the exotic black and white interstices.

The genus name Ahaetulla comes from the Sinhalese name ehetulla for Ahaetulla nasuta, which means 'eye plucker' or 'eye striker.[2]

Behavior

They are primarily diurnal and arboreal, living in humid rainforests. Their diet consists mainly of lizards, but sometimes frogs and rodents are also consumed. Ahaetulla fronticincta, however, feeds exclusively on fish, striking its prey from branches overhanging water. Ahaetulla venom is not considered to be dangerous to humans, but serves to cause paralysis in their fast moving prey choices. They are ovoviviparous.

Ahaetulla prasina, showing rear-set fang

In captivity

Ahaetulla species are not yet frequently captive bred, as are many of the more popular snakes in the reptile keeping hobby. They are suitable for more advanced keepers, requiring a humid arboreal habitat and a diet of lizards as they rarely switch to rodents. Without proper husbandry, they are prone to health issues and stress.

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References
  1. Shanker, Kartik; Vijayakumar, S. P.; Pal, Saunak P.; Ganesh, Sumaithangi R.; Achyuthan, N. Srikanthan; Mallik, Ashok Kumar (2019-07-17). "Discovery of a deeply divergent new lineage of vine snake (Colubridae: Ahaetuliinae: Proahaetulla gen. nov.) from the southern Western Ghats of Peninsular India with a revised key for Ahaetuliinae". PLOS ONE. 14 (7): e0218851. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0218851. ISSN 1932-6203.
  2. Wall, Frank (1921). Ophidia Taprobanica or the Snakes of Ceylon. Ceylon: Government Press. p. 291.
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