Green Tree Python

Green tree pythons can reach lengths of about 5 feet (1.5 meters). Green tree pythons are found in New Guinea, eastern Indonesia, and the northeast Cape York Peninsula of Australia. Juveniles are born bright yellow, red or red-brown, and do not get their characteristic green color until they are 6 to 12 months old. They prefer tropical rainforests with thick vegetation and high humidity. They may also inhabit secondary forests and gardens. Most of their time is spent in trees, but they also come down onto the ground, especially at night. 

The Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute

​​Emerald Tree Boa

Emerald tree boas, as their name suggests, are a tree dwelling species, spending most of their time high up in the foliage. They prefer to be solitary (alone). They are found in lowland tropical rainforests in the Amazonian and Guianan regions of South America.

Emerald tree boas are non-venomous, arboreal snakes. They use their prehensile tail to hold onto tree branches. Their head rests atop their coiled body during the day; at night, they hunt for birds but may also eat small reptiles and mammals. Adult emerald tree boas are a bright green color with paler yellow or white bellies, and some have striking white marks along their backs. As juveniles, these snakes are yellow, orange or red.

National Aquarium

All snakes have backwards-facing teeth that help them to secure their prey and prevent it from escaping. This is called “aglyphous” dentition.

Snakes described as having only aglyphous dentition do not have fangs for the delivery of venom.

There are three additional types of snake dentition – solenoglyphous, proteroglyphous, and opisthoglyphous – all of which include different types of fangs.

Fun fact: these words are derived from the Greek word “glyph,” meaning “groove,” probably in reference to the grooves on the teeth. 

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​One of the physical characteristics that differentiate, or set apart, snake species from one another is their dentition, or teeth.

Snakes described as having only aglyphous dentition do not have fangs for the delivery of venom. They are almost entirely nonvenomous snakes. Aglyphous species of snakes include all boa constrictors, rat snakes, bull snakes, and North American kingsnakes like the snake pictured above.

Aglyphous Dentition

These snakes are snakes with teeth and BIG fangs.

​​Solenoglyphous

Snakes that have teeth and smaller, non-hinged fangs in the front of their mouths.

​​Proteroglyphous

The fangs of these snakes differ because they lie in the back of their mouths. The structure of their fangs also differs – rather than a hollow, “hypodermic needle,” their fangs are simply grooved.

Opisthoglyphous

Next you will practice using a bar graph to answer some questions about African snakes.