The Olive Oriental Slender Snake, Trachischium laeve, is a small, slender species of snake belonging to the family Colubridae. Adults can reach lengths of up to 50 centimeters (about 20 inches), with females typically larger than males. Their bodies are cylindrical and elongated, with a pointed head and slender tail.
Scalation:
Trachischium laeve is characterized by smooth scales that are shiny and iridescent. They have 15 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.
- Dorsal Scales: The dorsal scales are smooth, shiny, and arranged in 19-19-17 rows.
- Ventrals: The ventral scales are smooth and shiny, and the number of ventrals varies between 151-164.
- Subcaudals: The subcaudals are paired, and the number of subcaudals varies between 30-38.
- Anal Plate: The anal plate is divided.
- Head Scales: The head of the Olive Oriental Slender Snake is elongated and distinct, and the head scales are small and smooth. It has a single large supraocular scale, 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 Oriental Slender Snake is predominantly green in color, with varying shades of olive, brown, or grey along their dorsal surface. Their ventral surface is usually yellowish or cream-colored. They have large eyes with round pupils and a distinct dark stripe that runs from the eye to the angle of the jaw. Their tongue is red or pink and forked, which they use for sensing their surroundings.
Natural History:
Trachischium laeve is primarily diurnal and feeds on small insects, spiders, and other invertebrates. 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 Oriental Slender Snake is found in a variety of habitats including forests, shrublands, and grasslands. They are commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, including India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.
Behavior:
Trachischium laeve 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 Trachischium laeve. Females lay clutches of 2-6 eggs which hatch after an incubation period of about 2-3 months.
Location:
The Olive Oriental Slender Snake is found primarily in South Asia, including India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.
Venomous or Non-venomous:
Trachischium laeve 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 Oriental Slender Snake, Trachischium laeve, is a small, non-venomous species of snake found in South Asia. They are primarily diurnal, arboreal, and feed on small insects and invertebrates. They are generally non-aggressive and not considered a threat to humans.
