vine snake (ahaetulla) variants

[FalconPunch]

Im researching which is which between ahaetulla prasina and ahaetulla nasuta. From what I have been researching, the ahaetulla prasina is the more slender of the two, and the ahaetulla nasuta is more blade shaped, thicker bodied with more of a wedge-shaped head, and flattens to show a brilliant white check pattern. Is this correct, can someone clarify for me which species is which, seems a lot of owners don't know.

What I understand to be prasina


What I understand to be nasuta

[purplemuffin]

the checker pattern is when the snake is puffed up and mad, that is the skin showing between the scales. I've seen them do this..it's neat!


Edit: Oh I thought you meant the other one was just always checkered! Hehe, my bad I misread. Yeah I don't know, I think most people seem to have nasuta, but I assumed prasina did the same flattening thing! Seen flattened checkered snakes advertised as prasina at least. I don't know though

[purplemuffin]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ELrf...eature=related this guy talks about it a bit!

[FalconPunch]

Yes I've seen that video its really cool. There HAS to be some difference. I wish I could find an expert on these things and have a list of physical difference. I think I'll just buy both and see for myself :-)

[FalconPunch]

Vinesnake.org

It seems this snake is not fully researched or understood yet, and is often mislabeled. Found this website of a fellow okie who has been successfully nreeding them and researching them, trying to untangle the mess.

Hopefully this helps a future searcher