Brown vine snake

The Brown-speckled Whipsnake, also called the Brown Vine Snake, is an arboreal snake species found only in Sri Lanka’s forests. It is completely tree-dwelling and prefers densely vegetated habitats. Originally thought to also exist in India’s Western Ghats, those populations are now considered a separate species (Ahaetulla sahyadrensis).

The species name pulverulenta comes from Latin, meaning “dusty” or “ash-colored,” a reference to its grayish-brown body that blends well with dry twigs and branches. In Sinhala, it’s called henakadaya, a name that interestingly inspired the word “anaconda.” This slender snake has a pointed snout with a small scale extension (dermal appendage) at the tip, and is marked by darker brown speckles, a rhomboid-shaped spot on the top of its head, and a brown stripe running through each eye. It preys mainly on lizards and other small invertebrates. Reproduction is ovoviviparous, meaning it gives birth to live young, usually between 5 and 15 in number.