Colubridae
Usambara Green Snake
HarmlessPhilothamnus macrops



3 photographs of the Usambara Green Snake. (c) John Lyakurwa, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by John Lyakurwa.
The Usambara Green Snake (Philothamnus macrops) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 3 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Usambara Green Snake
Philothamnus macrops, the large-eyed green snake or Usambara green snake, is a species of snake of the family Colubridae.
The snake is found in Tanzania, Zanzibar, and Mozambique.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Usambara Green Snake
- Is the Usambara Green Snake venomous?
- No. The Usambara Green Snake (Philothamnus macrops) 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 Usambara Green Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Usambara Green Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Usambara Green Snake dangerous?
- The Usambara Green Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Usambara Green Snake live?
- The Usambara Green Snake has verified records in 3 countries, including Tanzania, United Republic of, Mozambique, Zambia. 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 macrops
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.