Langaha Bonaterre 1790

Leaf-nosed Snakes have bizarre nasal appendages, which differ between the sexes. Females have a more elaborate, serrated nasal appendage, while males bear a longer, pointier one. The structures are present at birth, suggesting that they have some function beyond sexual signaling between rival males or potential mates. Often, the snakes hang from branches with their heads pointing towards the ground. Andrew Durso (1) suggests that the structures may drain water off the snake. Several Malagasy plants have long pointed seed pods that hang down from the plant and may provide models that the snake may imitate with its posture and nasal appendage. .

Jessica Tingle wrote an article for 'Herpetological Conservation and Biology'. She saw several leaf-nosed snakes foraging for and eating lizards. The snakes spent 90% not moving and may be primarily ambush predators, rather than active foragers, although Tingle saw one Langaha chasing skinks on the ground.

Kenney Krysko saw that leaf-nosed Snakes lay eggs. When they hatch, the nasal appendages of juveniles are folded up so they can use their egg tooth to break out of the egg. The appendage gains its normal shape after 36 hours. Juveniles show the same vertical 'hanging' behavior as adults, which Krysko suggests helps them mimic the seed pods of Malagasy plants and may deter predation.unclear). Only Langaha madagascariensis has been studied to any great extent. Darren's TetZoo article states that only female Langaha alluaudi have nasal appendages. Durso (1) found a photo on Flickr purporting to be a male L. alluaudi, which resembled a male L. madagascarensis or L. nasuta. Female L. alluaudi have longer, straighter nasal appendages than L. madagascarensis and female L. pseudoalluaudi have shorter, more upturned ones. Durso (1) suggests that the nasal differences are due to differences in microhabitat or sexual preference.

Langaha is a small genus of elapoid snakes in the family Pseudoxyrhophiidae. The genus contains three species, all of which are endemic to Madagascar.