This snake hunts during the day and kills by constriction. It is an excellent climber with sharp-edged belly scales. It can stiffen its body to stretch to up to one third of its length. It swims well and crosses lakes easily. Its response to danger is to freeze and vibrate its tail in a pile of leaves to mimic a rattle. It may then fling Itself towards the provoker, opening its mouth in a mock threat to bite.