This adult Rusty Whipsnake was a bit over 7 feet in length.
The neotropical genus Chironius contains about 20 species of slender serpents that are often referred to as “Neotropical whipsnakes.” Although some fully grown at 4 to 5 feet in length, a few species routinely exceed 6 feet when adult. Despite their large size, their whiplike slenderness allows these snakes to be arboreal and they may as often be seen sprawled on the fronds in the crown of a palm tree as in shrubs nearer ground level. Not only the preferred habitats of some, such as the Rusty Whipsnake, C. scurrulus, may change with the growth of the snake, but the overall appearance of the snake changes also.

Reversing ontogenesis from what we have become used to on the emerald tree boa, this snake, the Amazonian Rusty Whipsnake, often found at river edge, is an intense emerald green as an arboreal hatchling. The intensity of the green fades rapidly with the snake’s age and growth. As a semiaquatic adult, the Rusty Whipsnake becomes a beautiful rusty red and is often seen foraging for its prey of frogs at water’s edge.

As indicated above, this is an oviparous species.

In keeping with the above comments, the bright green hatchling fell from the forest canopy during a storm. The paler green juvie was found on a vine covered log, and the red adult was searching for prey on the banks of the Rio Orosa, all so very typical. Enjoy.