Prepare to be enchanted by the mystical allure of the amazing species of blue snakes, where nature’s artistry intertwines with serpentine elegance. In the realm of reptiles, these captivating creatures stand out as true marvels, adorned in shades of azure, cobalt, and sapphire. From the dense rainforests to the sun-drenched savannas, these blue serpents emerge as vivid beacons of beauty amidst their surroundings. With each twist and turn of their sleek bodies, they mesmerize us with their ethereal hue, leaving us in awe of their otherworldly charm.
Join us on a thrilling expedition through the enchanting world of blue snakes, where we will discover the incredible diversity, fascinating adaptations, and the sheer wonder that these captivating creatures bring to our planet. Get ready to embark on a journey that will ignite your imagination and deepen your appreciation for the astonishing wonders of the natural world.
12 Species of snakes of blue color
If you’ve never heard of these uniquely colored reptiles before, you might be wondering, are there any blue snakes? The truth is, there are several species of snakes with beautiful shades of blue.
Some of these snakes are venomous, while others are not. They use their blue coloration to attract mates, blend in, or indicate they are dangerous.
Below are some amazing blue snake species.
Blue vipper snake
The Blue Viper Snake, scientifically known as Trimeresurus pulcherrimus, is a remarkable reptile that showcases nature’s artistry with its stunning blue coloration. Found primarily in Southeast Asia, this venomous snake possesses scales that range in shades of blue, from a striking azure to a captivating turquoise.
The vibrant coloration serves as a form of camouflage in their forested habitats, allowing them to blend seamlessly into their surroundings.
With a length of around 2 to 3 feet, the Blue Viper Snake has a slender body, adorned with a distinctive triangular-shaped head. While its beauty is undeniable, it’s important to note that this snake should be admired from a safe distance, as it possesses venomous fangs.
The Blue Viper Snake is a true testament to the wonders of the natural world, showcasing the remarkable diversity and beauty found among snakes.
Blue runner snake
The blue runner snake (Coluber constrictor foxiilisten)) is a long blue-gray snake common in the northwestern United States. In addition to the blue-gray color, you can spot this reptile in other shades, such as sapphire and deep midnight blue. Blue runners are non-venomous snakes that grow 30-60 inches long.
They have white or cream chins and necks with dark markings around the eyes. Their eyes are large and you may find them with brown to orange muzzles. The sides of these snake species have a blue blush.
As the name suggests, blue racer snakes are fast moving and are often nervous. They live in dry habitats with sufficient cover and sunny spots. You can spot them in thickets, open forests, old farm pastures, fields, and swamps.
These snakes feed on frogs, rodents, crickets, grasshoppers, and other snakes.
Learn more: The 10 Most Snake Infested Lakes in the United States
Eastern indigo snake
The eastern indigo snake is a large, blue-colored snake common in the southwestern United States. These snakes grow 5-7 feet long, with others growing up to 9 feet long. They weigh between 2-10 lbs.
Eastern indigo snakes have a deep blue-black body, though some have shades of orange, tan, and red on their chins, cheeks, and throats. You may also spot others with bluish back streaks along their lips. Their smooth, smooth scales glisten in the sun.
These blue snake species prefer well-drained sandy soils, riparian thickets, flat woodlands, reed beds, and stream bottoms. They feed on other snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs, fish, small birds and eggs. The eastern indigo snake may vibrate its tail, hiss, and vertically flatten its neck as a defensive behavior.
Despite being large, these snakes are not venomous and do not bite when grabbed. The eastern indigo snake is a endangered snake species and a desirable pet for reptile enthusiasts.
Bluestripe ribbon snake
The bluestripe ribbon snake is a semi-aquatic, nonvenomous snake commonly found along the Gulf Coast of Florida. It is a type of garter snake and a subspecies of ribbon snake. Adult blue ribbon snakes can grow to between 18 and 25 inches long.
These snakes have slender bodies with blue-black or blue-olive skin colors. You can identify them by their light blue stripes that run along the sides. They have a white patch above the eyes and very long tails.
Bluestripe ribbon snakes are common in rivers, lakes, ponds, swamps, and slow-moving streams. They hunt for lizards, frogs, small fish, salamanders, minnows and insects during the day.
Blue-lipped sea krait
The blue-lipped sea krait (Laticauda laticaudata) is a striking black and blue snake found in the Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean. These sea serpents are highly poisonous and can grow 36-42 inches long.
Their ventral scales can be 1/3 to 1/2 the width of their entire body. Thanks to their uniform blue and black bands, you can easily spot these snakes in the wild. The blue-lipped sea krait has lateral nostrils and a dark brown upper lip.
These blue colored snakes are semi-aquatic and spend their time hunting on land and sea. Unlike juvenile blue-lipped sea kraits, adults spend most of their time on land. These snakes prey on coral reefs for creatures such as eels, small fish, and crabs.
Despite being highly venomous, blue-lipped sea kraits are docile and will not strike unless disturbed.
Blue striped garter snake
The blue-striped garter snake is a small, slender snake common in Florida. It is a non-venomous snake that can grow 18-26 inches long.
These snakes have gray, black, tan, or greenish-brown bodies with blue, brown, green, white, or yellow stripes running down either side of the body.
They also feature another matching stripe down the center back. They have lyre-shaped markings on their heads and large eyes with elliptical pupils.
You can spot blue-striped garter snakes in pine groves and on rocky hillsides. Their preferred diet includes rodents, lizards, toads, frogs, worms, birds and the occasional salamander.
White-Lipped Island Pit Viper
The white-lipped pit viper is a venomous blue-colored snake common in the Lesser Sunda Islands and East Java in Indonesia. These snakes are medium in size, growing up to 17 inches long.
These snakes exhibit different color variations, such as light, almost sky blue or bluish green. White-lipped pit vipers use their brilliant blue-green scales for camouflage in their natural habitats. They are also equipped with hollow hinged fangs to inject venom into their prey.
You can find these snakes in trees and vegetation along stream banks. They are nocturnal hunters who prefer to feed on frogs, birds, lizards and small mammals.
Learn more: Black and Yellow Snake
California red-faced garter
The California red-faced garter is a beautiful, slender snake found in California. These snakes have a mild venom, which is not dangerous to humans but deadly to small prey. They can grow between 22 and 39 inches long.
California red garters have three stripes that can be either blue or yellow. Their body is mostly red, but the prominence of this color can vary from one snake to another. You can identify them by their red checkered pattern, bright red head, and turquoise blue dorsal stripe.
This red and blue snake is common in the coastal dunes and marshes of California. They prefer aquatic areas, including marshes, dunes and shallow waters. You can also spot them in grasslands and woodlands. The snake’s diet consists of lizards, frogs, snails, leeches, earthworms, and eggs.
The California red-faced garter is a popular pet snake that is docile and easy to handle. Subspecies of the California red-faced garter, including the San Francisco garter snake, in danger.
Blue coral snake
The blue coral snake is a highly venomous snake native to Southeast Asia. According to a study published in the Journal of Toxins, blue coral releases a unique venom that messes with the prey’s nerves. Instead of instantly killing the prey, the poison leaves the target in a helpless frozen state.
These medium sized snakes can grow up to 55-70 inches long. Their bodies are slim with exciting coloration which can be dark blue or blue-black. The body color contrasts with the red color around the head and tail. They also have two light blue stripes running down each side of their body from head to tail.
Blue coral snakes are found in humid tropical forests and prefer to hide in leaf litter. Their main food source is other snakes, but they can also eat lizards, frogs, and birds.
Rock rattlesnake
The rock rattlesnake is a variant of the pit viper common in central Mexico and the southwestern United States. This snake is the smallest of the rattlesnakes, growing up to 32 inches long. It is often called the blue rattlesnake to differentiate it from the banded rattlesnake.
The rattlesnake’s color usually reflects its rocky habitat. Most of them have gray bodies with distinct black bands. However, those that live near limestone may have a blue tint. Their bodies are thick with large round heads. Like other rattlesnakes, these snakes have a rattle on their tail and are venomous.
This blue rattlesnake lives in rocky outcrops and hillsides. It feeds on lizards, small mammals and lizards. This snake can bite if you accidentally step on or touch it.
Common blue phase tree snake
The common blue phased tree snake is a rare variation of the green and yellow tree snake found in Australia. These docile nonvenomous blue colored snakes grow to about 6.5 feet.
Blue-phase common tree snakes are typically brown, black, yellow, or green, but can be completely blue. Different species of these snakes have different shades of blue and vibrancy. For example, some snakes may have neon, bright blue, dull blue, or navy blue bodies.
These blue snakes are skilled climbers who prefer scaling trees and buildings. You can spot them in scrublands, tall grasses, and rainforest edges. Their preferred diet includes frogs, skinks and lizards.
Read more: Most Beautiful Snakes In The World
Are blue snakes poisonous?
While blue-colored snakes display some of the most exciting colors in the snake world, most are venomous and dangerous to humans. For example, blue-lipped sea krait, blue corals, and rock rattlesnakes have potent venom.
Their bites can cause internal and external bleeding, paralysis, and tissue damage. Seek immediate medical attention if one of these snakes bites you.
That said, some blue-colored snakes, such as the blue runner, blue-striped garter, and blue-phase common tree snakes, aren’t venomous. They are also docile and can make excellent pets for reptile enthusiasts.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, the Blue Snake stands as a true marvel of nature, enchanting us with its captivating blue coloration and commanding presence.
With its vibrant scales that shimmer and gleam, it captivates the imagination and leaves a lasting impression. This venomous serpent reminds us of the incredible diversity and beauty found within the animal kingdom. However, we must also remember to respect its potential danger and appreciate it from a safe distance.
As we reflect on its awe-inspiring beauty, let us continue to admire and protect these remarkable creatures, ensuring their place in the tapestry of our natural world. For further exploration of the fascinating world of snakes and other captivating creatures, we invite you to read more on the Venomous Snake blog.
