Langaha madagascariensis
Species of snake
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Langaha madagascariensis (formerly Langaha nasuta, commonly known as the Madagascar or Malagasy leaf-nosed snake) is a medium-sized non-venomous highly cryptic arboreal species. It is endemic to Madagascar and found in deciduous dry forests and rain forests, often in vegetation 1.5 to 2 meters above the ground.[1][3]
| Langaha madagascariensis | |
|---|---|
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| Female L. madagascariensis | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Pseudoxyrhophiidae |
| Genus: | Langaha |
| Species: | L. madagascariensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Langaha madagascariensis Bonnaterre, 1790 | |
| Synonyms | |
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Description
Malagasy leaf-nosed snakes can grow up to 1 meter in length.[3] There is considerable sexual dimorphism within the species; the males are dorsally brown and ventrally yellow with a long tapering snout, while the females are mottled grey with a flattened, leaf shaped snout.[4] The function of their appendage is unknown, but obviously also serves as camouflage.[3] They have unusually slender bodies and can be identified by their long, pointy snouts. Their diet is mainly made up of frogs and lizards. These snakes are known for[by whom?] their unusually high levels of sexual dimorphism.[citation needed]
It is largely a sit-and-wait predator. It may show curious resting behaviour, hanging straight down from a branch. Prey items include arboreal and terrestrial lizards.[5] It also exhibits hooding while stalking prey. These hooding and swaying behaviours along with its cryptic colour patterns, might allow L. madagascariensis to mimic a vine swaying in the wind.[6]
Leaf-nosed snakes are oviparous with clutch sizes ranging from 5 to 11 eggs.[3] Malagasy leaf-nosed snakes are generally calm and reluctant to bite unless provoked.
