Eastern Green Snake

About the Eastern Green Snake

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Eastern Green Snake

Is the Eastern Green Snake venomous?

No. The Eastern Green Snake (Philothamnus natalensis) 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 Eastern Green Snake poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Eastern Green Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.

Is the Eastern Green Snake dangerous?

The Eastern Green Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.

Where does the Eastern Green Snake live?

The Eastern Green Snake has verified records in 9 countries, including South Africa, Mozambique, Eswatini. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

More Colubridae snakes

• 
  Spotted Bush Snake
  Philothamnus semivariegatus
• 
  Western Natal Green Snake
  Philothamnus occidentalis
• 
  Green Water Snake
  Philothamnus hoplogaster
• 
  Spotted Green Snake
  Philothamnus punctatus
• 
  Western Green Snake
  Philothamnus angolensis
• 
  Battersby's Green Snake
  Philothamnus battersbyi
• 
  Striped Green Snake
  Philothamnus dorsalis
• 
  Common Bush Snake
  Philothamnus irregularis

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

Philothamnus

SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name

Philothamnus natalensis

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.