Colubridae
Western Black Tree Snake
HarmlessThrasops occidentalis
The Western Black Tree Snake (Thrasops occidentalis) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 11 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Western Black Tree Snake
Thrasops occidentalis, commonly known as the western black tree snake or black tree snake, is a species of arboreal snake in the family Colubridae. The snake is found in West Africa.
Distribution and habitat
Thrasops occidentalis is found in the humid zone of West Africa from Senegal to Nigeria. It is a diurnal and arboreal species associated with both rain and gallery forests.
Behavior and ecology
Diet and reproduction
The diet of Thrasops occidentalis consists of small mammals (rodents and bats), birds, and lizards. The species is oviparous, meaning it lays eggs.
Conservation status
Thrasops occidentalis is listed as "Least Concern" on the IUCN Red List. No specific threats to it are known.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Western Black Tree Snake
- Is the Western Black Tree Snake venomous?
- No. The Western Black Tree Snake (Thrasops occidentalis) 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 Western Black Tree Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Western Black Tree Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Western Black Tree Snake dangerous?
- The Western Black Tree Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Western Black Tree Snake live?
- The Western Black Tree Snake has verified records in 11 countries, including Benin, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- What does the Western Black Tree Snake eat?
- The diet of Thrasops occidentalis consists of small mammals (rodents and bats), birds, and lizards. The species is oviparous, meaning it lays eggs.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Black Tree SnakeThrasops jacksonii
Common Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis
Common WatersnakeNerodia sipedon
Gopher SnakePituophis catenifer
DeKay's BrownsnakeStoreria dekayi
North American RacerColuber constrictor- No photoSchmidt’s Bold-eyed Tree SnakeThrasops schmidti
- No photoYellow-throated Bold-eyed Tree snakeThrasops flavigularis
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
- Thrasops
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Thrasops occidentalis
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.