Colubridae
Ruanda Emerald Green Snake
HarmlessPhilothamnus ruandae

The Ruanda Emerald Green Snake (Philothamnus ruandae) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 7 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Ruanda Emerald Green Snake
Philothamnus ruandae, the Ruanda emerald green snake or Rwanda forest green snake, is a species of snake of the family Colubridae.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Ruanda Emerald Green Snake
- Is the Ruanda Emerald Green Snake venomous?
- No. The Ruanda Emerald Green Snake (Philothamnus ruandae) 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 Ruanda Emerald Green Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Ruanda Emerald Green Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Ruanda Emerald Green Snake dangerous?
- The Ruanda Emerald Green Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Ruanda Emerald Green Snake live?
- The Ruanda Emerald Green Snake has verified records in 7 countries, including Congo, Democratic Republic of the, Rwanda, Uganda. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Spotted Bush SnakePhilothamnus semivariegatus
Western Natal Green SnakePhilothamnus occidentalis
Green Water SnakePhilothamnus hoplogaster
Eastern Green SnakePhilothamnus natalensis
Spotted Green SnakePhilothamnus punctatus
Western Green SnakePhilothamnus angolensis
Battersby's Green SnakePhilothamnus battersbyi
Striped Green SnakePhilothamnus dorsalis
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 ruandae
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.