This is snake is the most frequently encountered snake in our area of the Bluff and surrounding areas, this is probably because of its diurnal (active during daylight hours) habits. It is a beautiful, graceful, fast moving and harmless snake, usually preferring to flee as fast as possible when encountered. Like the Brown House Snake, these snakes do not have fangs nor venom glands, however they do have tiny teeth which are used to capture their prey.
Their preferred food of choice is geckos, but small frogs are also taken. Their liking of Geckos is often what brings the snake into homes and garages where they hunt for their prey.
These snakes have a flattened head, with a big eye and round clearly visible pupil. The body colour is usually bright, to olive green with black spots, almost like black crossbars over the first half to two thirds of the body, from there the tail is plain green. They average about 90cm in size although I have seen some larger individuals on the Bluff.
So many folks see a green snake and immediately think, Boomslang or Green Mamba. So here are a few tips to help you tell the difference. Firstly its the size of the snake, if it is bright green and less than a meter long, chances are very good that it is a harmless Spotted Bush Snake or Natal Green Snake.
Juvenile and adult female Boomslang, are not green but rather brownish grey in colour, the males change colour when they are about a meter long.
The Green Mamba on the other hand is a much fatter snake than the Bush and Natal greens, so if you see a snake that is thinner than your finger it is most likely harmless. The Green Mamba as well as the Boomslang have a green underbelly. The Spotted Bush Snake as well as the Natal green have a white or very light green underbelly.
Please do not attempt to handle any snake unless you are absolutely sure of what you are handling and PLEASE do not kill them as they are also God’s amazing creates and have a plan and purpose just like we do.
Please feel free to visit my Photography page for more pictures of God’s amazing little creatures found in and around the Bluff: www.facebook.com/WkDickPhotography
God Bless
Warren.K.Dick
