Neotropical Bird Eating Snake (Psuestes poecilonotus)

Three Neotropical Bird Eating Snakes, patterns colors & characteristics

This Bird Eating Snake (Psuestes poecilonotus) was found on a farm that raises turkeys and chickens. The environment was perfect for the Bird Eating Snake but not so good for the humans, or the chicks for that matter. The first images show a puffing type of display that gives this snake the nickname of the “puffing snake”. He flattens his head and puffs up the first quarter of his body in a cobra like position. He shook his tail a few times but not enough to say that it was part of the official display.

It is approximately 72 inches long from nose to tail tip. This particular snake is harmless to people but we didn’t want to get close enough to find out if some Darwin-like defense mechanism had recently exposed itself. We simply put the tape measure next to it as it slithered away into the forest. When we first got it we put it in a bucket with some water. We added a small lizard and a chicken egg that we had in the kitchen. It didn’t consume either. In this case we were not sure if it had eaten recently, was upset or if the egg was to big for it. We left it in the bucket overnight. Barry had to consider what type of set up would show off all of the qualities that make this Bird Snake so amazing. As you can see the complimentary colors and various levels of bamboo worked well.

*Side note – We get our eggs from a local farmer and some of the eggs that we get are the size of VW buses so maybe it was to big.

These next two images are my favorites. The patterns of an adult Bird Eating Snake can change to a dull greenish-brown so I feel lucky that we got to see him at this stage. The pattern is so beautiful. This is a good post for the fall season since the snake could easily hide under fallen leaves. These snakes are active during the day so be careful where you walk.

Here is a close up of the flattening of the head.

We found this bird eater in one of our cabins, which are pretty tightly sealed. We still have no idea how he got in. His colors are very muted and he had nodules or bumps at different places along the body. We believe that he is molting or shedding his skin and that he was looking for a safe place since snakes are more vunerable at this time.

If anyone can confirm that he is molting and this is not some skin problem please let us know in the comments section or send us an e-mail.

This third Neotropical Bird Eating Snake was found also found on our farm very close to the house in July of 14. It’s length is approximately 60 inches. Smaller than the twp pictured above. We have a lot of house wrens and mannakins that stay close so it was probably hunting. The patterns are similar as you can see but the vibrant orange color is stunning.