Rainforest Snakes
Rainforests, with their unique blend of humidity, shelter and food supply, are the perfect home for snakes! In fact, there are thousands of rainforest snakes all over the world. Rainforest snakes come in several varieties, each as fascinating as the next.
The most famous group of rainforest snakes is the Anaconda. These are the largest snakes in the South American rainforest, with some serpents stretching as long as 30 feet (9 meters) or longer! Given that we humans consider a 7-foot tall man a giant, imagine rainforest snakes more than four times “higher” than that!
Anacondas typically live in waterbeds such as rivers and swamps. These giant rainforest snakes prey on birds, rodents and deer, although given their size they could actually eat humans. Indeed, ancient legends speak of man-eating Anacondas that were worshipped as gods! Non-venomous, these rainforest varieties kill their victims by constriction, meaning they coil their bodies tightly around their target, cut off all circulation, and suffocate them. Other popular constrictor rainforest snakes belong to the Python family, which can stretch in size from 3 to 33 feet long. The largest of the pythons is the reticulated python, which is said to weigh about 300 pounds (136 kg).
The next group of snakes commonly found in the rainforest is the venomous rainforest snakes. These serpents are numerous, dangerous, and classified into three groups: front-fanged, rear-fanged and folding-fanged snakes. Of these, front-fanged rainforest snakes carry some of the most lethal venom. Examples of venomous rainforest snakes include the Eyeviper, the Fer-de-lance, Coral snakes and Cobras.
But perhaps the most fascinating traits belong to the Flying Rainforest snakes. Also known as Gliding Rainforest snakes, these serpents come in five species, are about 3 to 4 feet long, and are found in the rainforests of Southeast and South Asia. “Flying” from tree to tree, these rainforest wonders flatten their body in the air and propel themselves forward. Some common flying snakes include the Paradise Tree snake and the Golden Tree snake. Interestingly, flying rainforest snakes can’t move upwards! They can only glide or fly sideways or to a lower spot. So next time you are trekking through the Asian rainforest, don’t forget to “look up” for flying snakes!
Although essentially harmless, rainforest snakes will bite, as will most snakes when they are harmed or feel threatened. So when it comes to snakes – rainforest snakes or any other type of snake – the rule of thumb is look but don’t touch, and it is best to admire them from a safe distance.
