Colubridae
Black Tree Snake
HarmlessThrasops jacksonii
2 photographs of the Black Tree Snake. © Marius Burger.
The Black Tree Snake (Thrasops jacksonii) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 16 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Black Tree Snake
Thrasops jacksonii, known commonly as the black tree snake or Jackson's black tree snake, is a species of primarily arboreal and diurnal snake in the subfamily Colubrinae of the family Colubridae. The species is native to Central Africa, and has been discovered to possess a hemorrhagic venom, which it delivers to prey through moderately-sized fangs.
Geographic range
T. jacksonii is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Kenya, the Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitats of T. jacksonii are forest and savanna, at altitudes of 549–2,400 m (1,801–7,874 ft).
Description
T. jacksonii may attain a total length (including tail) of about 2.0 m (6.6 ft).
Behavior
T. jacksonii is diurnal and arboreal, and has been found as high as 30 m (98 ft) in the canopy.
Diet
A generalist, T. jacksonii preys upon frogs, arboreal lizards, birds and their eggs, and mammals.
Reproduction
T. jacksonii is oviparous. Clutch size is 7–12 eggs.
Etymology
The specific name, jacksonii, is in honor of English ornithologist Frederick John Jackson.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Black Tree Snake
- Is the Black Tree Snake venomous?
- No. The Black Tree Snake (Thrasops jacksonii) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.
- Is the Black Tree Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Black Tree Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Black Tree Snake dangerous?
- The Black Tree Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Black Tree Snake live?
- The Black Tree Snake has verified records in 16 countries, including Congo, Democratic Republic of the, Kenya, Uganda. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- What does the Black Tree Snake eat?
- A generalist, T. jacksonii preys upon frogs, arboreal lizards, birds and their eggs, and mammals.
- Why is it called the Black Tree Snake?
- The specific name, jacksonii, is in honor of English ornithologist Frederick John Jackson.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Western Black Tree SnakeThrasops occidentalis
Common Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis
Common WatersnakeNerodia sipedon
Gopher SnakePituophis catenifer
DeKay's BrownsnakeStoreria dekayi
North American RacerColuber constrictor- No photoSchmidt’s Bold-eyed Tree SnakeThrasops schmidti
- No photoYellow-throated Bold-eyed Tree snakeThrasops flavigularis
Classification
How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.
- OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards
- Squamata
- FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits
- Colubridae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Thrasops
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Thrasops jacksonii
Keep learning
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What Is a Snake? Anatomy and the BasicsA clear overview of what makes a snake a snake: limbless body plan, anatomy, evolution from lizards, species diversity, and why they are ectothermic.
- How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard and HomeA practical guide to keeping snakes out of your yard and home using habitat changes that work, plus what to skip and what to do if one shows up.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.