What species of snake is the Snivy line based off of?

Question

It says it's a "Grass Snake Pokemon", but the only snake that's green that I can think of is a Green Tree Python, but they live on branches, not in the grass.

My second guess is since Unova is apparently based off of America, maybe a Garter Snake, but I still don't know.

Answer 1

Snivy is in fact based off of multiple species of snakes, according to Bulbapedia (below the Trivia section, it has an Origin section).

Snivy may be based on a variety of green vine snake species with a pointed snout, including Oxybelis fulgidus, Ahaetulla nasuta, and Ahaetulla prasina. Snivy's color scheme is similar to its species' possible namesake, the smooth green snake. The Pokémon's combination of snake- and lizard-like features is also similar to that of the Florida sand skink, a lizard that resembles a snake with small, stubby legs. The shape of its head, body, and the protrusions on its shoulders may be based on the bird of paradise or false bird of paradise flowers. Ken Sugimori has said that Snivy, Servine, and Serperior are based on French royalty, specifically mentioning the anime The Rose of Versailles as inspiration.

Source

Oh, and, according to Google, oxybelis fulgidus is known as the green vine snake, ahaetulla nasuta is known as the common vine snake, and ahaetulla prasina is known as the Asian vine snake.

Oops, forgot Servine and Serperior. Servine has basically the exact same text for its origin as Snivy, but this is Serperior's origin:

Serperior is based on multiple species of snakes and limbless lizards, such as Oxybelis fulgidus, Ahaetulla nasuta, and Ahaetulla prasina (species of vine snakes), as well as the emerald tree boa, ball python, and possibly Burton's legless lizard. The shape of its head and the extensions on its collar may be based on the bird of paradise or false bird of paradise flowers, a cobra's hood, or a snake's shed skin. Serperior may also originate from Quetzalcoatl, a green, feathered serpent deity. Its body markings resemble the acanthus leaf motifs popularized during the Renaissance.

Ken Sugimori has said that Snivy, Servine, and Serperior are based on French royalty, specifically mentioning the anime The Rose of Versailles as inspiration. The fact that Serperior amplifies sunlight in its body, as stated in its Pokédex entry, may be an allusion to King Louis XIV of France, who famously referred to himself as the "Sun King". Its white face also alludes to the skin whitening fashion, mostly used by the European aristocracy in the 17th century. The dark green design on its chest seems to form a fleur-de-lis, a French insignia that is used on many European noble families' and nations' coat of arms. Along with its regal look, Serperior's ability to seize opponents with its piercing stare is a reference to the basilisk, the king of serpents in European legend.

Source

Hope this helps! :)

Comments

Oh well, I'll do better next time.

Answer 2

It is a species of a Grass Snake

Snivy is a bipedal, reptilian Pokémon with a slender build. Most of
its body is green with a cream underside. A yellow stripe runs down
the length of its back and tail, and it has yellow markings around its
large eyes. Two curved yellow structures that resemble leaves or small
wings protrude from its shoulders and bend backwards. Its slender arms
have three fingers, while its tiny feet have no digits whatsoever. It
has a large, palmate leaf with three prongs on the end of its tail.
This tail is capable of performing photosynthesis, which allows Snivy
to move more quickly. However, the tail will begin to droop when Snivy
loses energy. This Pokémon has a calm, collected demeanor.

That is what I found out from Bulbapedia, but it wasn't clear, so I researched more, and found this:

Grass Snake
Pokémon Snivy
( Tsutarja) (ツタージャ) is the Grass Snake
Pokémon. It is 0.6 m (2 ft) tall, and it weighs 8.1 kg (17.9 lbs). It
is one of the three starters Pokémon in Pokémon Black/White, along
with Tepig and Oshawott. "Tsuta" means "ivy" and "ja" is one way of
saying the word "snake."

Hope this helps!

Source

Source 2

Comments

I guess there's nothing out there specifying what type of grass snake huh? If not, then this will do, thanks!

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No prob.