Family: Colubridae
Subfamily: Colubrinae
Genus: Ahaetulla (Whip Snakes)

Picture: J. Bulian

Ahaetulla nasuta (Long-nosed Whip snake)
Thai:  (ngu kieo pak nab)

Length: Up to 190 cm

Occurrence:
North, north east and central Thailand. Not to be found south of Hua Hin. The colour of this animal varies from grass green to grey, brown or yellowy.

Behaviour/habitat:
These snakes, which are active during the day, live in trees and bushes on agricultural land and woods. They feed themselves on frogs, lizards and rodents. 

Danger:
Although this is a type of rearfanged snake, there is no danger to humans. The venom must be massaged into the bite wound with chewing movements in order to be effective. Even when preying on small lizards, the poison needs 15 minutes before being affective.

Pictures: J. Bulian

Ahaetulla prasina (Oriental Whip snakes)
Thai: (ngu kieo hua ching chok pa)

Length: Up to 190 cm

Occurrence: This subspecies is found throughout Thailand.

Habitat/behaviour:
By day these snakes inhabit the trees and shrubs of agricultural lands and forests. They lie in loose loops on the branches. By night, the snakes sleep in the same position in shrubs and trees, where they stay mostly on the outer branches. They feed on frogs, lizards, and birds. Rodents are generally not eaten by these snakes. In Thailand the Ahaetullaprasina has 2 mating seasons per year. The main mating activities take place between the end of April and the beginning of July. However, mating can also take place between December and January.

Gestation lasts approximately 6 months. The females give birth to between 4 and 10 offspring, which are between 420 and 510 mm long at birth.

Danger:
Although this is considered to be a rearfanged snake it is not dangerous to humans. The poison must be massaged into the bite wound by a chewing motion in order to be effective. Even with small lizards it takes the poison some 15 minutes to have an effect. When excited the snakes expand their neck area in order to appear larger. In this position it is possible then to see the banded region of the intermediate skin. In addition, the snake extends its tongue and holds it some seconds in this position. Besides the completely green snakes, they also appear as yellow or brownish, especially when juvenile.