The Madagascar Leaf-nosed Snake (Langaha madagascariensis) is a medium-sized arboreal colubrid species. It is native to Madagascar and found in deciduous dry forests and rain forests. This species is sexual dimorphic with the males dorsally brown and ventrally yellow with a long tapering snout (as shown in this photo) whilst the females are mottled grey with a leaf shaped snout.
This species is rear fanged, and though envenomation by this species causes severe pain in humans but is not deadly.
There isn’t a lot of information on this species native habitat, ecology, and subsequently captive care has been a process of trail and error. This species is known to be an ambush predator, with it’s colouration and body shape mimicking twigs and plant matter and acting as camouflage. In the wild they will eat lizards and frogs, and are reluctant to take rodents in captivity.
This species stresses easily and can be considered a species best kept by experienced snake keepers.
Photo taken by springhare on Flickr
woohoo! I requested this guy :)
