The Olive Forest Snake, Rhabdops olivaceus, is a medium-sized species of snake belonging to the family Colubridae. Adults can reach lengths of up to 1.2 meters (about 4 feet), with females typically larger than males. Their bodies are cylindrical and moderately elongated, with a slightly flattened head and slender tail.
Scalation:
Rhabdops olivaceus is characterized by keeled scales that are rough to the touch. They have 19 rows of dorsal scales at mid-body, and their ventral scales are smooth and undivided. The snake has a single anal scale and its subcaudal scales are also undivided. Here is the scalation information for the Olive Forest Snake (Rhabdops olivaceus):
- Dorsal Scales: The dorsal scales are smooth and shiny, and the number of scales around the midbody varies between 19-21.
- Ventrals: The ventral scales are also smooth and shiny, and the number of ventrals varies between 182-197.
- Subcaudals: The subcaudals are paired, and the number of subcaudals varies between 58-66.
- Anal Plate: The anal plate is divided.
- Head Scales: The head of the Olive Forest Snake is elongated and distinct, and the head scales are small and smooth. It has a pair of large supraocular scales, and a pair of large postocular scales.
- Eye Scales: The snake has large eyes with round pupils. The eye scales are small, with a single preocular and two postocular scales.
Appearance:
The Olive Forest Snake is predominantly olive green in color, with varying shades of brown, grey or yellowish along their dorsal surface. They have a distinct dark stripe that runs from the eye to the angle of the jaw. Their ventral surface is usually cream or yellowish in color. The eyes of the snake are large and have round pupils, and their tongue is red or pink and forked.
Natural History:
Rhabdops olivaceus is primarily diurnal and feeds on small rodents, lizards, and other small vertebrates. They are known to be active climbers and are commonly found in trees and shrubs. These snakes are generally timid and non-aggressive, and will usually retreat when threatened.
Habitat:
The Olive Forest Snake is found in a variety of habitats including forests, bamboo groves, and grasslands. They are commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, including India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.
Behavior:
Rhabdops olivaceus is a solitary species and usually found alone. They are non-venomous and are not considered a threat to humans. If threatened, they will usually hide or retreat rather than attack.
Reproduction:
Not much is known about the reproductive habits of Rhabdops olivaceus. Females lay clutches of 6-12 eggs which hatch after an incubation period of about 2-3 months.
Location:
The Olive Forest Snake is found primarily in South Asia, including India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.
Venomous or Non-venomous:
Rhabdops olivaceus is a non-venomous species of snake and does not pose a significant threat to humans. They are generally considered harmless, although bites may cause minor pain and swelling.
The Olive Forest Snake, Rhabdops olivaceus, is a medium-sized, non-venomous species of snake found in South Asia. They are primarily diurnal, arboreal, and feed on small rodents and other small vertebrates. They are generally non-aggressive and not considered a threat to humans.
