Most Beautiful Snakes In The World
Sunbeam Snake (Xenopeltis unicolor) Species within the Xenopeltis genus are collectively known as sunbeam snakes. Both species are native to Southeast Asia and its surrounding islands. The better-known variety, Xenopeltis unicolor, was originally defined taxonomically by Dutch botanist Caspar Georg Carl Reinwardt in 1827. It primarily inhabits countries like Myanmar, southern China, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand.
Rainbow Snake/Eel Moccasin (Farancia erytrogramma) The rainbow snake, also known as the eel moccasin, is another species with a name that suits it perfectly. These mostly aquatic snakes have a truly mesmerizing coloration, particularly on their sides and bellies, with alternating scale colors of bright red, yellow, black, brown, and orange. There were originally two subspecies, though one of them is unfortunately extinct as of 2011.
Eyelash Viper (Bothriechis schegelii) This is the first of several gorgeous vipers on this list, as the Viperidae family consists of a wide range of colorful, striking, and unique species. One of the most notable and beautiful varieties is the eyelash viper. This fearsome, usually electric-yellow snake has protruding, eyelash-like scales just above its large eyes.
Paradise Flying Snake (Chrysopelea paradisi) A flying snake is many an ophidiophobe’s worst nightmare! Don’t worry, though, these snakes don’t so much fly rather than glide short distances from tree to tree. Still, the paradise flying snake zooming overhead is a truly incredible sight, not only for the unique way the species flattens its body to make itself lighter and more aerodynamic but also thanks to its gorgeous, vivid coloration.
Blue Malayan Coral Snake (Calliophis bivirgatus) These beautiful yet highly venomous snakes are, like several others on this list, also native to Southeast Asia. Their coloration is absolutely stunning, with bright, blood-red heads and tails, bluish-black bodies, and thin, sky-blue stripes running down the snakes’ sides.
Hairy/Rough-Scaled Bush Viper (Atheris hispida) The next snake on our list is the rough-scaled bush viper, also sometimes known as the hairy bush viper. It is mainly unique for its bizarre yet beautiful outward-pointing, keeled scales which give it a strikingly dragon-like appearance.
Indian Cobra (Naja naja) The Indian cobra is perhaps the most well-known and recognizable of all “true” cobras (aside from the king cobra, which is not a ”true” cobra) within the Naja genus.
California Red-Sided Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis infernalis) The California red-sided variety, however, is perhaps the most beautiful, with either vivid blue or yellow stripes stretching across its brightly-colored red body. The snake’s head is typically bright red as well, making it stand out against the drab, swampy habitat in which it lives.
Butterfly Viper (Bitis nasicornis) This short yet heavy-bodied snake is both colorful and gorgeously patterned. It has ornate bluish-green diamond and hourglass-shaped markings running down the length of its brown and olive-green body. On the top of its head typically is a black diamond-shaped or triangular splotch, with its trademark “horns” at the tip of its nose.
Emerald Tree Boa (Corallus caninus) This snake’s name suits it perfectly and mainly refers to its vivid emerald-green coloration. This green base body color is accentuated and broken up by small, irregular, zig-zagging white lines that almost look like tiny lightning bolts!