Oriental Whip Snake
by Greg Reed
Title
Oriental Whip Snake
Artist
Greg Reed
Medium
Photograph - Photo
Description
Taken October 2007 at the Monterey Aquarium, Monterey CA.
Oriental whip snake
Ahaetulla prasina, Heinrich Boie, 1827
(In Thai: งูเขียวหัวจิ้งจก, ngu khieow hua jingjok)
Ahaetulla prasina is a species of snake in the family Colubridae native to southern Asia. Its common names include Asian vine snake, Boie's whip snake, Gunther's whip snake, Oriental whip snake (Thai: งูเขียวหัวจิ้งจก) .
Description
The body form is extremely slender with a long, pointed, projecting snout which is rather more than twice as long as the eye. Adult colouration varies from light brown to dull yellow-green and often a startling fluorescent green.
The type and number of scales is used to identify the snakes. In this species the Internasals are usually in contact with the labial or lip scales. There are one to four small loreals between the prefrontal and the labial scales. The frontal is as long as its distance from the end of the snout or a little longer and a little longer than the parietal scales. There is one preocular scale in front of the eye, which is in contact with the frontal scale. There two postocular scales (behind the eyes). The temporal scales come in patterns of 2+2 or 3+3, rarely 1+2. Of the upper labial scales, the ninth, fourth, fifth, and sixth enter the eye while the 4 lower labials are in contact with the anterior chin-shields, which are shorter than the posterior chin-shields. The scales in 15 rows and are usually faintly keeled on the sacral region.
There are 203-234 Ventral scales which are anal divided. There are 167 to 203 subcaudals which are bright green, pale olive, or grey-brown, with a yellow line along each side of the lower parts. The interstitial skin of the neck is black and white.
Adults may attain 1.8 m (6 feet) in total length, with a tail 0.6 m (2 feet) long.
Its appearance is very much like those of South American vine snakes. It is a rear-fanged species and is mildly venomous but is not considered a threat to humans.
Distribution
This snake has a wide distribution in Asia, where it occurs in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Diet
The Asian vine snake feeds on small reptiles and amphibians, particularly lizards and tree frogs.
In captivity
In recent years, it has entered the pet trade and has become quite popular among hobbyists.
Subspecies
Four subspecies are recognized, including the nominate race.
Ahaetulla prasina medioxima Lazell, 2002
Ahaetulla prasina preocularis (Taylor, 1922): Philippine Islands, including Sulu Archipelago, Panay, Luzon.
Ahaetulla prasina prasina (Boie, 1827)
Ahaetulla prasina suluensis Gaulke, 1994: Philippine Islands, Sulu Archipelago
Source: https://www.thainationalparks.com/species/ahaetulla-prasina
Monterey Bay Aquarium
The Monterey Bay Aquarium was a vision that turned into a reality. One day
in 1977, four marine biologists at Stanford University's Hopkins Marine Station
were once again contemplating a dilapidated building just a few hundred feet
away. Someone said “aquarium,” and the rest is history.
Our building stands on the site of historic Cannery Row’s
largest fish-packing plant, the Hovden Cannery. Built in
1916, the Hovden Cannery operated until 1972, and was
the last of the canneries to close. Demolition of the
abandoned building began in 1980, and construction of
the Aquarium began shortly after, in spring of 1981. We
opened to the public on October 20, 1984
and brought the fish back to Cannery Row.
From the beginning, our founders’ intent was to give
visitors an intimate tour of Monterey Bay's beautiful
natural communities and other fascinating marine
environments, and ultimately inspire them to care
for and protect the world’s oceans.
Thirty years later, we continue to inspire ocean
conservation and set trends for aquariums worldwide.
We’re the only institution to successfully exhibit great
white sharks. We created the first living kelp forest
exhibit, and pioneered jellyfish exhibits that inspired
countless imitations around the globe. We were the first
aquarium to offer changing special exhibitions, and
the first with a dedicated exhibit area for children and
families. We continue to test the limits of what’s possible.
As an ocean conservation leader, we’re deeply involved
in cutting-edge research and advocacy to protect sea
otters, Pacific bluefin tuna, great white sharks and other
threatened ocean animals. Our Seafood Watch program
to advance sustainable seafood practices is transforming
the seafood market in ways that protect ocean wildlife.
Our exhibits helped inspire creation of the largest national
marine sanctuary off the continental United States, and
we are now working to ensure the long-term success of
the largest network of marine protected areas off the
California coast.
More than 55 million visitors have visited the non-profit
Monterey Bay Aquarium since 1984. Many have left
inspired to help create a better future for the oceans.
We’ll continue to make a difference in the years ahead.
Source: https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/-/m/pdf/groups/monterey-bay-aquarium-operator-history.pdf?la=en
Uploaded
March 19th, 2013
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