There are indeed some species of snakes that display blue coloration. Blue is an unusual color for snakes, but a few different species have evolved blue scales or skin through structural coloration. The blue comes not from pigment, but from the physical structure of the scales themselves. Let’s take a look at some of the most notable blue snakes found around the world.
The Blue Racer
One of the most well-known blue snakes is the blue racer, a species found throughout the central United States. The blue racer gets its name from its bluish-gray body and the speed at which it can travel. This nonvenomous colubrid species can reach lengths of 4-5 feet as adults.
The blue coloration comes from the structure of the snake’s scales, which contain complex layers that interfere with reflected light waves. This structural coloration is similar to what gives blue morpho butterflies and peacocks their vivid blue hues. It means the snakes are blue regardless of their age, as it does not come from pigmentation.
The Eastern Indigo Snake
The eastern indigo snake is the longest snake native to the United States, growing up to 8.5 feet in length. This bluish-black serpent is found in the southeastern U.S. from eastern Mississippi to southern Georgia.
The indigo snake’s color comes from iridiphores in its scales – cells that refract and scatter light. This structural coloration results in its deep blue-black appearance. Baby indigo snakes are born with these irridescent scales, so they exhibit the same coloration as adults of the species.
The Blue Malaysian Coral Snake
Found in southeast Asia, the blue Malaysian coral snake is a highly venomous elapid species. This striking serpent has black bands contrasting with bright blue interband skin. The blue coloration comes from the snake’s dermal chromatophore cells.
The blue Malaysian coral snake was only identified as its own unique species in 2007. Before this, it was grouped with other coral snakes found in the region. This arboreal snake reaches lengths of 3-4 feet as adults. They are found in lowland and hill forests of Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo, and smaller Indonesian islands.
Neon Blue Coral Snake
Perhaps the most brilliantly blue snake of all is the neon blue coral snake of South America. This venomous species is found in equatorial Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela. It gets its vivid blue color from unique collagen bundles in its dermal connective tissue. This snake’s scales have a microscopic structure that scatters light laterally to give off its intense blue hues.
The neon blue coral snake was only classified as its own species in 2012. Before this, it was grouped in with other South American coral snakes. These elapid snakes have broad blue bands contrasting with narrow red and black bands. The striking coloration serves as a warning to predators of this highly venomous species.
Blue-Lipped Snake
The blue-lipped snake is found in Cambodia, Laos, Burma, Thailand, and Vietnam. This nonvenomous colubrid gets its name from the bright blue coloring around its mouth. The blue extends across the snake’s upper and lower labial scales surrounding the mouth.
It is thought that the lizard-eating blue-lipped snake’s coloration helps attract potential prey. The vivid blue color stands out against the snake’s otherwise brownish or pinkish body. Very little is known about this species, as it was only identified in 2008. Before this, it was considered a color variant of the bamboo snake.
Blue-Spotted Lancehead
The blue-spotted lancehead is a venomous pit viper species found in the rainforests of Central America. It has a base color of green with iridescent blue speckles. The blue spots appear across the entire body of the snake.
When newborn, blue-spotted lancehead snakes have more blue coloration which fades to green as they mature. The blue speckling helps camouflage them in the rainforest environment. It is thought the coloration is an adaptation to help avoid predators. Their venom is hemotoxic and potentially deadly but rarely fatal to humans.
Why Are Some Snakes Blue?
So why have some snake species evolved to display blue hues while most species are green, brown, black, or other colors? There are a few potential evolutionary advantages conferred by blue coloration:
Camouflage – In certain environments, blue and bluish-gray coloration helps snakes blend in and avoid detection by predators and prey. Many blue snake species live in forests where the coloring matches the shade of tree trunks and helps them hide.
Warning Coloration – Bright blue can stand out against a snake’s environment, signaling toxicity and danger to potential predators. Coral snakes and other venomous blue species likely evolved the coloration as a warning.
Prey Attraction – Blues and purples are colors that attract amphibians and reptiles, which make up the prey of some blue snake species. The coloration may help draw unsuspecting lizards and frogs toward the snake.
Thermoregulation – Some experts hypothesize blue skin may help absorb or reflect heat from the sun, aiding the snake’s ability to regulate its body temperature. However, more research is needed in this area.
So in short, blue represents an adaptive color for snakes that has evolved independently in several different lineages. The rarity and uniqueness of blue snakes has helped spawn myths and intrigue around these serpents as well.
Myths and Legends Around Blue Snakes
The rarity of blue coloration in snakes has led to some myth and lore surrounding blue serpents. Here are some notable examples:
– In medieval Europe, the blue snake was symbolic of healing and medicine. Images of blue snakes were used on amulets.
– A Cherokee legend tells of a blue horned snake that could take on the form of a man. If a human was bitten by the blue horned snake, they would gain powers of sorcery.
– In Australian Aboriginal mythology, the ancestors of certain tribes were said to have come across an enormous blue snake that controlled rivers and aquatic life.
– The demigod Huitzilopochtli from Aztec mythology wielded a scepter decorated with blue snake designs. He was the patron of war, sun, and human sacrifice.
– In Hindu lore, when the evil serpent Kaliya took over the Yamuna river, Lord Krishna subdued the snake and made the river blue instead of black and poisonous.
So blue snakes have made their way into folklore around the world, no doubt because of their mystical and otherworldly appearance. Even today, there is still much to learn about the natural history of these uncommon blue-hued serpents.
Famous Historic Blue Snake Specimens
Before photography was available to document biological discoveries, blue snakes were noted and cataloged as exotic finds by explorers, naturalists, and collectors:
| 1799 | French naturalist François Marie Daudin described a bright blue coral snake specimen from Martinique, one of the earliest known accounts of a blue snake species. |
| 1845 | The Blue Racer snake was first cataloged from a specimen found near Lake Erie by famed herpetologist John Holbrook. |
| 1875 | British zoologist Albert Günther documented the blue Malaysian coral snake from a specimen housed at the British Museum, distinguishing it from similar species. |
| 1893 | A striking neon blue coral snake from Brazil was noted and preserved by American herpetologist Samuel Garman, who classified it as a new species. |
These early snake specimens helped identify blue snakes as distinct species and served as reference material before color photography was possible. Some of these centuries-old preserved blue snake skins still exist in museum collections today.
Blue Snake Species in Captivity
While many blue snake species are rare and elusive in the wild, some have become established in captivity and are bred as pets:
– The blue beauty rat snake is a color morph of the Texas Rat Snake that has been selectively bred to exhibit bright blue coloration. They make hardy, docile pets.
– The blue-lipped snake is bred in reasonable numbers, though still uncommon. Their small size (3 feet) and placid temperament suits them for captivity.
– Neon blue coral snakes are bred by some specialist collectors, but their venomous nature means they are not suitable pets for nonexperts. Their blue coloration derives from wild-caught specimens.
– Common garter snakes sometimes display limited blue coloration. Selective breeding produces strains with more vivid blue extending along the snake’s body.
So although they are still not common, captive breeding efforts have made certain blue colored snakes more available toenthusiasts around the world. However, many blue snake species remain mysterious and elusive in the wild.
Threats to Blue Snake Populations
Many of the blue snake species discussed face significant threats to their long-term survival:
– Habitat loss from deforestation – Razing of forests and coasts degrades blue snakes’ natural ecosystems.
– Persecution by humans – Blue snakes are often killed on sight due to fear and superstition. Even nonvenomous species are mistaken as toxic.
– Overcollection for pet trade – Due to their rarity and uniqueness, wild blue snakes are vulnerable to overharvesting for the pet trade.
– Climate change – Shifting climates may make blue snakes’ native environments inhospitable, exceeding the species’ ability to adapt.
– Disease – Snakes face emerging infectious diseases and parasites which can impact isolated populations.
To protect these rare blue serpents, conservation measures are needed such as habitat preservation, trade regulations, anti-persecution laws, and possibly managed breeding programs. Since so little data exists on some species, more field research is also critical.
Conclusion
Blue is one of the rarest colors among snake species. But a handful of snakes around the world exhibit blue hues due either to pigmentation in their skin or the physical structure of their scales. These include the Blue Racer, Eastern Indigo Snake, Blue Malaysian Coral Snake, Neon Blue Coral Snake, and Blue-Lipped Snake. Several factors may explain why blue is advantageous for some snake species, including camouflage, warning coloration, attracting prey, and thermoregulation.
The scarcity of blue snakes has led them to be revered in mythology and spark fascination among explorers and naturalists. Continued conservation efforts are needed to preserve these rare species and their unique habitats. The majesty and intrigue of blue snakes persists, even in modern times, for these beautiful and elusive serpents of the natural world.
