Four Whips In A Day!

During a late afternoon on 8 September 2007, Chan Kwok Wai found not one, not two, not three, but FOUR Oriental Whip Snakes (Ahaetulla prasina)!!!! One of the snakes was sighted at eye level, while the rest were encountered at the tree canopies. The green colour and long body length of this species, are perhaps adaptations for life at the canopy, since the former provides the snake with a good camouflage against aerial predators and the latter allows the snake to move from canopy to canopy.

From what I know, the Oriental Whip Snake is a popular pet. By disclosing the microhabitat of this snake, I fear that it will become easy target for potential poachers. Thus I would like to urge people to refrain from collecting this snake. I hope that information on the habit of this snake will instead allow us to understand its needs and eventually lead to better management of our few remaining forests.

More on this species here.

Oriental Whip Snake (Ahaetulla prasina)

It seems like no snakes can escape the sharp eyes of Chan Kwok Wai. I, "The Blinded One", benefited alot from his presence. He spotted this long (about 2 m) and slender Oriental Whip Snake (Ahaetulla/Dryophis prasina) high up on the branches in Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve on 12 November 2006 at about 7.30 pm. Recently, Dionne Teo spotted the species at the Central Catchment Natural Reserve on 13 April 2006, 22 May 2006 and 22 June 2006. Gail Q also spotted the same snake in the reserve on 25 August 2006.

This species is one of the most commonly sighted and photographed snake in our local forests, probably because it is abundant and it seldom flees. It is mildly venomous but is harmless to humans and is rather inoffensive (Lim & Lee, 1989; Lim & Lim, 1992). These characteristics make the snake extremely prone to poaching by people. I urge all to learn to bring yourself to nature, and not bring nature to your home. I believe that this makes the whole experience of appreciating these beautiful creatures a lot more meaningful and exciting. This snake is also the frequent victim of unnecessary killings because the green colour makes it resembles the highly venomous pit-vipers.

It is not surprising that Oriental Whip Snakes are not well studied although they are so common. This is the general trend for snakes in the region. Sharing information on sightings and observations can help us to know more about them.

This arboreal, diurnal snake is known to feed on frogs, birds and lizards (Lim & Lee, 1989; Lim & Lim, 1992). It gives live birth to about 4-10 young in a litter (Lim & Lee, 1989; Cox et al., 1998), which are brown in colour (Lim & Lee, 1989; Lim & Lim, 1992).

Oriental Whip Snakes inhabit throughout Southeast Asia (Cox et al., 1998).

From top to bottom: Head left; Body left; Body ventral; Cloaca

* All photographs by Mr Chim Chee Kong, except the one on cloaca which is by Mr Chan Kwok Wai.

Local sightings posted on photographic forums:

www.naturephotosociety.org.sg/dcforum/DCForumID2/496.html
forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=79154
forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=106837
forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=131977
forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=166812
forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?p=1941941

REFERENCES

Cox, M. J., van Dijk, P. P., Nabhitabhata, J. & Thirakhupt, K., 1998. A photographic guide to snakes and other reptiles of Peninsula Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. New Holland Publishers (UK) Ltd, p. 69.

Lim, F. L. K. & Lee, M. T. M., 1989. Fascinating Snakes of Southeast Asia – an Introduction. Tropical Press, Kuala Lumpur, p. 66-67.

Lim, K. K. P. & Lim, F. L. K., 1992. A Guide To The Amphibians & Reptiles Of Singapore. Singapore Science Centre, p. 70.