Northern Bird Snake/Common Puffing Snake

ANIMAL:
Northern Bird Snake/Common Puffing Snake Phrynonax poecilonotus

Type of Animal:
Colubrid

Habitat:
Forests, gardens, tree areas, villages, farms, shaded areas, coffee plant areas

Location(s):
Mexico, Central America, N & C South America, Trinidad, Tobago

Appearance:
Highly variable in color, rather slender snake, tapered tail, males have more pronounced scales

Food/Diet:
Birds, bird eggs, small mammals, lizards

Status in Wild:
Stable

Lifestyle:
Solitary

Additional Info:

Called:
Male
Female
Young: Snakelet
Group: Solitary

Gestation:
5 months

Life Span:
12-15 years

Body Length:
5-7 ft

Main predators are predatory birds, larger snakes, & carnivorous/omnivorous mammals.

Get puffing snake name due to habit of puffing up to ward off threats & bird snake name due to majority of diet being birds & bird eggs.

Active during the day (diurnal).

These snakes spend much of their time in trees.

These snakes beneficial in keeping bird & rodent pest populations in check. However, they will eat chicks & eggs, so farmers sometimes kill them.

Camouflage comes in handy for avoiding threats & catching prey.

These snakes are oviparous, laying eggs.

Mature at 1.5 years old.

Fun Fact(s):
Also called neotropical bird snake, neotropical bird-eating snake, common bird snake, neotropical puffing snake, arboreal puffing snake, dos cocorite (in Trinidad & Tobago), & papa-ovo (in Brazil).

These snakes very defensive when handled.

While not venomous, bites can be very painful due to sharp teeth.

These snakes rather difficult to keep in captivity.

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