About Leptophis ahaetulla (Linnaeus, 1758)
Adults of Leptophis ahaetulla can reach a total length of 172 cm (68 in), with a tail that makes up 59 cm (23 in) of this length. Dorsally, the body is bright green, golden, or bronzy. The keels of the dorsal scales are black or dark brown, and head shields and dorsal scales may be edged with black. A black streak runs through the eye on each side of the head. The upper lip and belly are white or yellow. This species was once considered non-venomous, but it is actually mildly venomous. Envenomation causes symptoms including localized pain, swelling, and a pins-and-needles sensation, which disappear after a few hours. L. ahaetulla has an elongated head that is distinct from the neck, a large eye with a round pupil, a slender body, and a long tail. At mid-body, dorsal scales are arranged in 15 rows. They are strongly keeled except for the first row on each side next to the ventrals, which is smooth. Dorsal scales are also smooth on the neck and tail. There are 151 to 167 ventrals, which are strongly angled at the sides. The anal plate is divided. The subcaudals number 140 to 173, and are also divided. The loreal scale is absent, and the prefrontal scales extend through the loreal region to contact the upper labials. There are usually 2 postoculars, and temporals are arranged as 1 + 2. There are 8 to 9 upper labials, with the 4th and 5th, or 5th and 6th, entering the eye socket. The anterior chin shields are shorter than the posterior chin shields. In Central America, L. ahaetulla is distributed across Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, southern Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama. In South America, it can be found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
