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.
