Do we talk about a scoundrel hunter? Literally yes, but actually it isn't about someone who was chasing some thief or gangsters.
It is about a snake that has a habit of hunting squirrels. In Indonesia, they are called squirrel snakes.
It has a green color and a thick body, often suspected as a venomous green viper. In fact, this snake, which has a scientific name of Gonyosoma oxicephalum, isn't venomous.
From a non-expert's view, people will presume this snake as Trimeresurus sp.
But the fact, this snake doesn't have a specific criterion on Trimeresurus sp.: a true red tail.
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| Real photo from Exalos Indonesia rescuer |
This snake's tail is commonly silver, and some of them show a light red in their silver.
And its head has a small form, while vipers are larger.
Green vipers in Indonesia could grow to a maximum length of 100 cm, while the squirrel snake could reach 2,1 meters.
All those scientific criteria of Gonyosoma oxycephalum do not suit vipers except for their green color.
No wonder many made mistakes in identifying this snake. But definitely both vipers and Gonyosoma sp. have an intimidating appearance.
This snake has an important rule in nature: to push down the pest or a pest control snake.
If it is angry, it will be aggressive and shape its body like a letter "S" and then attack.
The spreading of Gonyosoma oxycephalum in Indonesia is in Borneo, Java, and Sumatra.
