The total length reaches 150 cm, of which 60 cm is the tail. Sexual dimorphism is observed, females are noticeably larger than males. The head is laterally compressed, the muzzle is quite elongated and flattened. The body is thin. The eyes are large with a horizontal pupil. A distinctive feature is also very elongated body scales.
The main color is usually green, less often light brown. The spaces between the scales in the front of the body are white and black, so when the snake inflates the neck, it seems striped. The belly is light green or yellowish. Yellow lines run along the belly on both sides.
Inhabits in the southwest of India , about. Sri Lanka , Thailand and Bangladesh . A type specimen was caught in Sri Lanka.
The braided snake leads a tree lifestyle. It is active mainly in the afternoon, when hunting, like other snakes of the genus, uses its binocular vision. In the summer, these snakes can form “tangles” of 5-6 individuals gathered together.
When trying to catch a whip-like snake inflates its neck, showing black-and-white skin between the scales, and also threatens to open its mouth towards the alleged enemy, thus trying to scare him. May inflict bites.
In India, there is an incorrect but persistent myth that the wattle-shaped snake is able to blind a person by pricking his eyes with his sharp head.
Like all snakes of the genus, A. nasuta, in the depths of its mouth, under the eye, has an enlarged furrowed tooth. The poison is not life threatening, but can cause edema that passes within 3 days. A poisonous tooth bite is difficult due to the location of the teeth in the depths of the mouth and the imperfection of the poisonous apparatus.
This snake moves gracefully, slowly and smoothly, swaying from side to side, simulating the swaying of branches around. Loot in ambush or find shelter, but does not pursue. The main diet consists of lizards; can also eat frogs, tree rodents and small birds (some write that it also ruins bird nests). The poison helps immobilize the victim. There have also been cases of ophiophagy [2] .
Ovoviviparous species, the female gives birth to from 3 to 9 cubs with a length of about 30 cm. Pregnancy lasts 4.5-5 months. This species is capable of either preservation of sperm or parthenogenetic reproduction - the female who lived in the London Zoo from August 1885 gave birth to cubs in August 1888. [3]
