AnimaliaHighest rank in taxonomy. Groups all life into domains: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, etc.IUCN LCInternational Union for Conservation of Nature — the world authority on species extinction risk, using standardized criteria. — Least Concern — widespread and abundant; not at immediate risk of extinction.In ProgressCurrent stage of this record in the editorial review workflow. Recent Sighting
Oxybelis fulgidus
Green Vine Snake
(Daudin, 1803)
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
An exceptionally slender and elongated arboreal snake, with a body that resembles a vibrant green vine. Its head is distinctive, extremely elongated, pointed, and narrow, with a prominent snout that gives it an aerodynamic profile. Its eyes have a round pupil, indicating its diurnal activity, and a dark horizontal band that crosses the eye, helping to conceal its position. The coloration is generally a bright, uniform green, sometimes with scales with white or yellowish edges that increase its mimicry capacity among leaves and vines.
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Julia Trouin
TaxonomyBiological classification ranks placing this species within the tree of life, from Kingdom down to Genus.
PhylumRank below Kingdom. Groups organisms sharing a fundamental body plan (e.g., Chordata = vertebrates and some invertebrates).Chordata
ClassRank below Phylum. Subdivides by structural traits (e.g., Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Insecta).Reptilia
OrderRank below Class. Groups related families sharing common ancestry (e.g., Carnivora, Primates).Squamata
FamilyRank below Order. Groups closely related genera (e.g., Felidae = cats, Canidae = dogs).Colubridae
GenusRank just above Species. The first word in the two-part binomial scientific name.Oxybelis
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.(Daudin, 1803)
Record Completeness
95%Coming soon
Ecology & StatusHow this species lives: habitat preferences, diet, behavior, population status, and role in its ecosystem.
OriginWhether the species is native (evolved here), endemic (found only here), or introduced by human activity.
Native
Population TrendDirection of change in population size over time: increasing, stable, decreasing, or unknown.
Stable
Breeding SeasonTime of year when this species typically reproduces or flowers.
Wet Season
Trophic RolePosition in the food chain: producer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, decomposer, or parasite.
Carnivore
Recent SightingsWhether this species has been observed in the wild in Costa Rica within recent years.
Yes
Habitat SummaryOverview of the specific ecosystems and environments where this species is found in Costa Rica. Multi-lang
Inhabits mainly the middle and upper layers of humid tropical rainforests, gallery forests, and areas of dense vegetation near rivers. It is distributed from southern Mexico, throughout Central America, to northern South America (including the Amazon). It is a species highly dependent on arboreal architecture, preferring areas with an abundance of vines, epiphytes, and closed-canopy trees.BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang
It is a very active diurnal reptile with highly specialized behavior. During daylight hours, it stays moving through the canopy looking for prey. Although it appears very slow, it is capable of making extremely fast attacks. At night, it coils on safe, dense branches, remaining virtually undetectable until dawn.Social ActivitySocial structure: whether the species is solitary, paired, or colonial; hierarchy and communication. Multi-lang
It is a solitary animal by nature. It does not show group behaviors or coordinated defense. Its interaction with other individuals is reduced to a minimum, outside of the encounters necessary for reproduction. Its survival strategy is based on individuality and mimicry.Feeding GuildWhat the species eats, how it forages or hunts, and its role as a consumer in the food web. Multi-lang
Carnivore specialized in small arboreal vertebrates. It mainly consumes lizards (especially of the Anolis genus), frogs, and, on occasion, bird nestlings that it finds in nests. Its feeding strategy consists of patiently stalking the prey before making a fast and precise movement.Trophic Chain DetailsSpecific interactions in local food webs: prey species, predators, competitors, and scavengers. Multi-lang
Functions as a key secondary consumer in the upper stratum. It specializes in the predation of lizards, tree frogs, and occasionally small birds or nestlings. Its role is crucial for controlling the populations of these small arboreal vertebrates. In turn, it can be prey for raptors, large arboreal snakes, and arboreal mammals.Reproductive BehaviourMating strategies, courtship displays, nesting or spawning behavior, and parental care. Multi-lang
Oviparous species. Reproduction occurs mainly during the rainy season. Females lay between 3 and 12 elongated eggs in protected cavities, tree hollows, or among the humus of epiphytes. The incubation period varies according to the ambient temperature, but the young are born as perfect replicas of the adults and are fully independent from the first moment.Physical Measures
Length (cm)
150.0 - 200.0 cm
Weight (Grams)
150 g - 350 g
Offspring per cycleTypical number of young (live births, eggs, or seeds) produced by one adult in a single reproductive event or breeding season.3 - 12
Sexual DimorphismObservable physical differences between males and females of the same species (e.g., size, coloration, features).No
Lifespan
Sexual MaturityAge at which the individual becomes capable of reproducing for the first time.
2 - 3 Years
Gestation / IncubationDuration from fertilization to birth (mammals) or to hatching (egg-laying species).
40 - 60
Lifespan EstimatedExpected duration of life from birth to natural death under wild conditions.
Males8 - 12 Years
Females8 - 12 Years
Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang
Vine Mimicry: Its body is highly laterally compressed and extremely slender, allowing it to blend perfectly with vines and thin branches, becoming virtually invisible to both its prey and its predators.
Highly Developed Binocular Vision: It possesses an arrow-shaped head that provides exceptional binocular vision. This is crucial for its hunting strategy, allowing it to calculate with extreme precision the distance and position of its prey before launching a fast and accurate attack.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
Destruction of Arboreal Habitats: Forest fragmentation and the removal of vine networks reduce its hunting and mobility opportunities, displacing populations to less suitable areas.
Changes in prey availability: The alteration of local ecosystems, often caused by agrochemicals, indirectly affects this snake by decreasing the populations of its main prey, such as small birds and lizards.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
Patient stalking technique: Unlike other active predators, the green vine snake employs a highly patient stalking strategy. It can remain motionless for hours among the foliage, waiting for the prey to be at an optimal distance before making a sudden movement.
Visual defense strategy: When threatened, this snake does not seek to flee immediately. Instead, it usually opens its mouth wide to show the dark interior, or even inflates its body to look larger, startling its attackers.