Oxybelis aeneus
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| Horsewhip | ||||||||||||||||
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| Oxybelis aeneus Wagler, 1824 |
Oxybelis aeneus, the Horsewhip, is a snake which ranges from the southern United States, through Mexico to northern South America and Trinidad and Tobago. It feeds mainly on lizards, but also eats frogs and birds.
This is an extremely slender snake that reaches up to 1.9 metres in length. Its colour may vary from gray to brown with a yellow underside. In Trinidad and Tobago, it is known as a 'Horse Whip' or 'Vine Snake'. Mostly aboreal and diurnal, this snake is quite often mistaken for a vine. When threatened, this snake sometimes releases foul smeling secretions from its vent. When caught, this snake may bite, and although it is not dangerous, it is a rear fanged snake and can cause an itching sensation.
[edit] References
Boos, Hans E.A. (2001). The snakes of Trinidad and Tobago. Texas A&M University Press, College Station, TX.. ISBN 1-58544-116-3.
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