For Kelly: The Coolest Snake I Could Find

[urbpan]

Here we have the rhinoceros snake, also called the rhino rat snake and the Vietnamese long-nosed snake. It's a beautiful and strange looking creature, and relatively little is known about it. I was stunned to find no information online about the purpose of its proboscis. I'll ask around at the zoo, but you would expect that there would be something published about its most distinguishing characteristic.

It's native to the forests of Vietnam and adjacent parts of China. It's arboreal, and while most sources said that it feeds mainly on rodents, I suspect that it probably gets more amphibians and nestling birds. It is seldom seen in the wild, and yet it has no conservation status. There seems to be a great interest among reptile hobbyists in obtaining captive-bred animals though breeding them appears to be challenging. (Warning, that link leads to a paralyzingly cute photo.)



Thanks, Kelly, for your donation!
Still forthcoming: pictures of amphibians, and prairie dogs.


If you would like me to take a picture of one of Zoo New England's animals, please donate $5.00 to the New England Chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers! I'll even send you a sticker.

Comments

[zipotle.livejournal.com]

I just bought one of those (captive-bred, according to the guy, and she's still young so I believe him) for Ken for Christmas! She IS cute! They have really pretty crisscross markings on their back too.

From what I understand, nobody really knows what the schnozz is for on them (or on Baron's Racers, which look really similar). Also: it's soft and flexible, not hard like I expected.

[perspicuity.livejournal.com]

i wonder if it's heat sensitive or can be made to wiggle - bait? angler snake?

i'm thinking creature double feature - lazers!

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[plantmom.livejournal.com]

The baby pictures, OMG the baby pictures! Squeeeee!

[jostajam.livejournal.com]

The head of the snake looks very leaf like to me.

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

Aaaaaand, in discussions with coworkers today, camouflage was the most plausible reason for this weird adaption. Good thinkin.