image credit: telegraph.co.uk
image credit: breeders-expo.de
image credit: lacerta.nl
image credit: venomland.net
image credit: heosemys
image credit: Tad 20D
image credit: vultingHabitat: Northern Vietnam to Southern China
Status: Not Listed
These weird looking snakes are commonly referred to as Vietnamese Long-nosed Snakes (Rhynchophis boulengeri) but I really love the variety of odd names people have given them over the years. A few of my favorites are: the Leaf-nosed Rat Snake, Rhinoceros Ratsnake and the Green Unicorn. Because who doesn’t like unicorns? If you say you don’t I know you’re lying.
Of course the names come from the snake’s signature prominent scaled protrusion, or horn, on the tip of its nose. These creatures are arboreal and nocturnal, dwelling at elevations between 300 and 1100 meters.
The cute little hatchlings are a brownish gray color with dark stripes down the side. After 12-14 months they turn steel gray and after 24 months they turn green. However, some adults fail to turn green and remain steel gray. I call those guys the “Peter Panners” 😉
http://youtu.be/GqDuqxorues
