Dendrelaphis punctulata
Description
The Green Tree Snake is a slender snake that can grow to approximately 1.5 metres in length. It is usually green in ‘colour (dorsal surface), but may vary to blue in some locations. It has distinctive pale blue flecks between body scales, with bright yellow on the ventral surface (underneath). It is relatively common in coastal areas along the eastern coast of Queensland, including suburban gardens. It is most active during the day (diurnal), and is non-venomous.
Females lay up to 15 elongated eggs per clutch in spring and summer.
Adaptations
- Fast moving snake able to climb to avoid predators and hunt prey
- Large eyes enable them to see their prey and hunt by sight
Feeding relationships
- What I eat: frogs, small lizards (e.g. geckos) and small mammals (e.g. mice)
- What eats me: other snakes (e.g. Eastern Brown Snake); birds (e.g. Kookaburra)
Interesting facts
When threatened, Green Tree Snakes will try to defend themselves by inflating their body and neck to make them appear larger, as well as produce a horrible odour (smell).