Colubridae
Olive Marsh Snake
HarmlessNatriciteres olivacea
6 photographs of the Olive Marsh Snake. © Denis RAMAGE.
The Olive Marsh Snake (Natriciteres olivacea) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 30 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Olive Marsh Snake
The olive marsh snake (Natriciteres olivacea) is a species of snake in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa.
Description
N. olivacea is a small snake which exhibits sexual dimorphism. Males may attain a maximum total length (including tail) of only 27 cm (11 in), but the larger females may attain a total length of 33 cm (13 in).
It has smooth dorsal scales, which are arranged in 19 rows at midbody, reducing to 17 rows towards the rear.
Dorsally, it is dark olive. Ventrally, it is whitish. The upper labials are whitish, with dark vertical bars at the sutures.
Distribution and habitat
N. olivacea is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Central African Republic, both Congos (Democratic Republic of the Congo and Republic of the Congo), Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The preferred habitat of N. olivacea is savanna.
Biology
N. olivacea is oviparous. In early summer the adult female lays a clutch of 6-8 eggs. Each egg measures 22 x 9 mm (.87 x .35 inch). It preys on winged termites.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Olive Marsh Snake
- Is the Olive Marsh Snake venomous?
- No. The Olive Marsh Snake (Natriciteres olivacea) 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 Olive Marsh Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Olive Marsh Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Olive Marsh Snake dangerous?
- The Olive Marsh Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Olive Marsh Snake live?
- The Olive Marsh Snake has verified records in 30 countries, including Congo, Democratic Republic of the, Tanzania, United Republic of, Côte d’Ivoire. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
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
- Natriciteres
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Natriciteres olivacea
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.