THE Natal green snake is very similar in habits to the spotted bush snake, however they usually lack the black-speckled markings of the spotted bush snake.
This often gets these harmless snakes into a lot of trouble, as even seasoned snake experts sometimes misidentify them as being green mambas.
The Natal green is a slender snake that reaches a maximum length of around a metre, with a yellowish-green underbelly. Very often they also have black markings between the bright green scales.
Green mambas are much longer and fatter snakes which are seldom encountered very far from the coastal forest, which is the green belt that runs right along the coast, whereas the Natal green is quite common throughout the Durban area.
Like the spotted bush snake, the Natal green loves feeding on geckos and small frogs. This often sees them entering homes in search of their favourite food. However the Natal green snake is far less common than the spotted bush snake and far less tolerant of urban sprawl. These snakes are most commonly found in homes that border nature reserves and other natural areas.
Like the spotted bush snake, the Natal green does not have fangs, nor venom, however they do have quite a few sharp little teeth that they use to catch and swallow their prey. This means the Natal green snake is absolutely harmless.
Snakes were not created for us to fear, however they are a vital part of the food chain. Without them, we would be over-run by genuine pests. No snake, venomous or not, ever deserves to die. If you see a snake in your garden, do not kill or touch it unless you know exactly what it is. In most cases it is quite fine to leave them in the garden where they belong. However if you would like to have a snake that you have seen identified and or removed (for which a small call-out fee to cover petrol may apply) Whatsapp photos or call me on 072-211-0353.
