Brown Vinesnake

About the Brown Vinesnake

Oxybelis aeneus, commonly known as the Mexican vine snake or brown vine snake, is a species of colubrid snake, which is endemic to the Americas. Oxybelis aeneus is found through southern Mexico, to northern South America and Trinidad and Tobago. There is no loreal scale, and there are 8–10 upper labials.

The smooth dorsal scales are arranged in 17 rows at midbody. Ventrals 173–205; subcaudals 150–188, divided (paired). The anal plate is divided in Arizona specimens, but is entire in South American specimens. In Arizona O. aeneus is also called "pike-headed tree snake". In Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana, it is known as a "horse whip" or "vine snake". Mostly arboreal and diurnal, O. aeneus is quite often mistaken for a vine. When threatened, it sometimes releases foul smelling secretions from its vent.

Oxybelis aeneus feeds mainly on lizards (mostly anoles), but also eats frogs, small rodents and birds. Oxybelis aeneus is a mildly venomous rear-fanged snake, but it is not considered dangerous to humans. Oxybelis aeneus is oviparous. Clutch sizes of 3–6 have been published. In... Wikipedia →