Is the Spotted Bush Snake venomous?

No. The Spotted Bush Snake (Philothamnus semivariegatus) 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 Spotted Bush Snake poisonous?

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

Is the Spotted Bush Snake dangerous?

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

Where does the Spotted Bush Snake live?

The Spotted Bush Snake has verified records in 38 countries, including South Africa, Zambia, Tanzania, United Republic of. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Colubridae

Spotted Bush Snake

Harmless

Philothamnus semivariegatus

Spotted Bush Snake — Philothamnus semivariegatus, © sableplains

6 photographs of the Spotted Bush Snake. © sableplains.

The Spotted Bush Snake (Philothamnus semivariegatus) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 38 countries.

Family: Colubridae

About the Spotted Bush Snake

Philothamnus semivariegatus, commonly known as the spotted bush snake is a species of non-venomous colubrid snake, endemic to Africa.

Geographic range

P. semivariegatus is distributed from South Africa northward to Sudan, Uganda and from Guinea eastward to Tanzania and sighted in Nigeria.

Description

The colour is bright green with black speckles. Average snout to vent length (SVL) is 60–90 cm (24–35 in).

Biology

Spotted bush snakes are mostly found in trees in bush and forest areas, where they hunt lizards and treefrogs. They are also known to devour chameleons and dwarfs. They are excellent climbers and swimmers, have very good eyesight, and are highly alert snakes. They are not territorial, and will roam great distances in search for food. Spotted bush snakes are very common and completely harmless. They are well camouflaged, naturally very nervous, and quick to escape from any potential threat. As such, suburban sightings are rare.

In captivity

They can be very difficult to keep in captivity, being very nervous and reluctant to feed on anything but sympatric gecko species, but they are occasionally kept and bred successfully.

Reproduction

Females can lay between 3 and 12 elongate eggs every summer, and each hatchling is about 25 cm (9.8 in) in total length (including tail).

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Spotted Bush Snake

Is the Spotted Bush Snake venomous?: No. The Spotted Bush Snake (Philothamnus semivariegatus) 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 Spotted Bush Snake poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Spotted Bush Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
Is the Spotted Bush Snake dangerous?: The Spotted Bush Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
Where does the Spotted Bush Snake live?: The Spotted Bush Snake has verified records in 38 countries, including South Africa, Zambia, Tanzania, United Republic of. See the distribution section below for its full range.

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

Keep learning

Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.