When you spot a brilliant emerald snake coiled in the dense vegetation of a West African rainforest, your first instinct might be uncertainty mixed with caution.
West Africa hosts an impressive diversity of green snakes in west africa, ranging from completely harmless species that control pest populations to highly venomous mambas that demand immediate respect.
Understanding how to identify these species isn’t just fascinating—it’s essential for anyone living in, traveling through, or studying the region’s rich ecosystems.
This guide walks you through ten distinct green snake species you might encounter across West Africa, revealing the key identification features, behavioral patterns, and safety considerations that separate one species from another.
Green Bush Snake
The green bush snake (Philothamnus irregularis) represents one of the most commonly encountered harmless green snakes throughout West African habitats. You’ll recognize this slender species by its smooth, uniform bright green coloration that provides excellent camouflage among leaves and branches.
These active diurnal hunters typically measure between 60 and 100 centimeters in length, with exceptionally thin bodies that allow them to navigate through dense vegetation with remarkable agility. Their heads are only slightly distinct from their necks, and their large eyes feature round pupils adapted for daytime hunting.
Key Tip: Green bush snakes often freeze when threatened rather than fleeing immediately, relying on their camouflage to avoid detection. When you approach slowly, they typically remain motionless until you’re within a meter or two.
You’ll find green bush snakes in various habitats across West Africa, from coastal forests to savanna woodlands, wherever sufficient vegetation provides cover. They prefer areas with dense shrubs and low trees where they hunt for their primary prey: small lizards, geckos, and occasionally tree frogs.
Despite their widespread distribution, these snakes remain relatively secretive, spending most daylight hours hunting in the middle vegetation layers.
Western Green Mamba
The western green mamba (Dendroaspis viridis) commands respect as one of West Africa’s most dangerous serpents. This highly venomous species inhabits coastal tropical rainforests, thickets, and woodland regions from Gambia through Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, and Benin.
Adult western green mambas measure between 1.4 and 2.1 meters in length, with exceptional specimens approaching 2.4 meters.
The snake displays a bright green body that gradually fades to yellow or orange toward the tail, and its scales feature prominent black margins that create a distinctive net-like pattern across the body. The long, thin head shows a distinct canthus above medium-sized eyes with round pupils and yellowish-brown irises.
When threatened or aroused, western green mambas flatten their neck area into a slight hood. Their venom contains a highly potent mixture of rapid-acting presynaptic and postsynaptic neurotoxins, cardiotoxins, and fasciculins.
Symptoms manifest rapidly—usually within the first 15 minutes—and include local pain and swelling, ataxia, headache, drowsiness, difficulty breathing, vertigo, hypotension, diarrhea, dizziness, and paralysis.
Important Note: Bites from western green mambas are medical emergencies requiring immediate transport to advanced facilities offering antivenom and respiratory support. The extraordinary speed with which venom spreads through tissue makes rapid medical intervention critical for survival.
This predominantly arboreal species spends most of its time in the forest canopy, sometimes at considerable heights, though it occasionally descends to the ground.
Western green mambas are diurnal hunters that actively pursue birds, small mammals like rodents and squirrels, and occasionally other reptiles. Despite their dangerous nature, they generally retreat when encountered and avoid human contact when possible.
Emerald Snake
The emerald snake (Hapsidophrys smaragdinus) displays one of the most vibrant green colorations among West African serpents. This relatively small, harmless species inhabits the rainforest canopy zones across the region’s tropical belt.
You’ll identify emerald snakes by their brilliant, almost luminescent green coloration that lacks the patterns or markings seen in many other green species.
Adults typically reach lengths between 50 and 80 centimeters, maintaining a slender profile throughout their length. Their smooth scales reflect light beautifully, creating an almost jewel-like appearance in dappled forest sunlight.
These strictly arboreal snakes rarely descend to ground level, preferring to remain in the upper vegetation layers where they hunt small lizards, tree frogs, and invertebrates.
Their coloration provides exceptional camouflage against the forest canopy, making them difficult to spot despite their brilliant hue. Emerald snakes are completely harmless to humans and typically freeze or slowly retreat when discovered.
Green Tree Snake
The green tree snake (Philothamnus semivariegatus) occupies forested and woodland habitats throughout much of West Africa. This medium-sized harmless species belongs to the diverse Philothamnus genus, which includes numerous green snake species across the African continent.
Green tree snakes display uniform green coloration along their dorsal surfaces, though some individuals show slight variations in shade from brighter emerald to more olive-green tones.
Adults average 70 to 90 centimeters in length, with slender builds typical of arboreal species. Their heads remain relatively narrow and only slightly distinct from the neck, while their large eyes provide excellent vision for detecting movement.
Pro Tip: When examining head scales for identification, green tree snakes show two upper labial scales making contact with the eye—a key feature that distinguishes them from similar-looking species in the region.
You’ll encounter these snakes in areas with good tree cover, including gallery forests, woodland edges, and well-vegetated suburban areas. They’re active during daylight hours, hunting primarily for small lizards and geckos.
Green tree snakes are non-aggressive and will quickly flee when approached, though they may bite defensively if handled. These bites pose no medical concern beyond minor scratches.
Forest Green Snake
The forest green snake (Philothamnus carinatus) inhabits the dense rainforest environments throughout West Africa’s tropical zones. This species takes its name from its strongly keeled scales, which create a distinctive texture that separates it from smooth-scaled relatives.
Forest green snakes measure between 60 and 100 centimeters when fully grown, displaying bright green coloration that may show subtle variations depending on lighting conditions and recent shedding.
The heavily keeled dorsal scales create a rough appearance and feel, providing excellent grip on bark and branches as these snakes navigate through the forest structure.
These forest specialists spend most of their time in low to middle vegetation layers, rarely venturing into the high canopy or down to the forest floor. They hunt actively during the day, searching for small vertebrates including lizards, frogs, and occasionally nestling birds. Their keeled scales help them maintain purchase on wet, moss-covered branches in humid forest environments.
Forest green snakes are completely harmless but may bite defensively when cornered or handled. Their temperament varies by individual, with some specimens remaining calm while others display more defensive behavior. When threatened, they typically attempt to escape into dense vegetation rather than confronting potential threats.
Green Water Snake
The green water snake (Philothamnus angolensis) ranges widely across West Africa and extends southward through much of the continent. This semi-aquatic species demonstrates adaptations for life near streams, rivers, and other freshwater habitats.
You’ll recognize green water snakes by their bright green coloration, often with turquoise highlights on the head and tail. They possess dark, almost black eyes—a distinguishing feature from many other Philothamnus species. Adults typically reach 70 to 100 centimeters in length, with more robust builds than purely arboreal species.
Key Insight: Green water snakes inhabit areas around water sources including streams, rivers, swamps, and well-wooded regions with permanent or seasonal water. They’re equally comfortable in trees and on the ground, often basking on branches overhanging water.
These snakes hunt during daylight hours, feeding primarily on frogs, small fish, and aquatic invertebrates. Their swimming ability exceeds that of most other green snakes in the region, allowing them to pursue prey both in water and in surrounding vegetation.
When approached, green water snakes typically drop into water and swim away rapidly, or they may freeze among vegetation hoping to avoid detection.
Green water snakes are harmless to humans, though bites from defensive individuals may bleed more freely than bites from other Philothamnus species due to anticoagulant properties in their saliva. These bites require only basic first aid and pose no serious medical concern.
African Vine Snake
The African vine snake (Thelotornis kirtlandii) represents one of West Africa’s most distinctive and potentially dangerous rear-fanged species. This highly specialized snake mimics vines and small branches with remarkable precision.
African vine snakes display extremely elongated, slender bodies that may reach 1.5 meters or more in length while remaining pencil-thin throughout. Their green coloration often includes brown or gray mottling that enhances their vine-like appearance.
The head is notably elongated and pointed, with large eyes positioned more forward than in most snake species, providing enhanced binocular vision.
Important Note: African vine snakes possess rear fangs and venom that can cause serious envenomation in humans. While bites are uncommon due to their rear fang position and generally docile nature, the venom contains potent hemotoxins that can cause severe bleeding, tissue damage, and systemic effects.
These strictly arboreal hunters remain nearly motionless for extended periods while waiting for prey, relying on their exceptional camouflage to avoid detection by both predators and prey.
When small birds, lizards, or chameleons venture within striking range, vine snakes attack with surprising speed despite their typically lethargic behavior.
You’ll find African vine snakes in forested and woodland habitats throughout West Africa, always in areas with substantial tree cover.
They rarely descend to ground level, preferring to hunt and rest in the middle to upper vegetation layers. Their slow, deliberate movements make them difficult to spot unless they’re actively moving between hunting perches.
Boomslang
The boomslang (Dispholidus typus) occurs across much of sub-Saharan Africa, with some individuals in West Africa displaying bright green coloration, particularly among males. This highly venomous rear-fanged species demands careful identification.
Green boomslang individuals present a challenge for identification because their coloration mimics harmless green snakes. Adult males displaying green coloration typically measure between 1.2 and 1.8 meters in length, with robust builds compared to Philothamnus species.
The most distinctive features include a short, rounded snout, exceptionally large eyes with round pupils, and heavily keeled scales that create a rough texture.
Common Mistake: Many people assume all green snakes under 80 centimeters are harmless. However, juvenile boomslangs can be green and are already venomous. Always observe head shape, eye size, and scale texture rather than relying solely on color or size.
Boomslang venom contains potent hemotoxins that prevent blood clotting, potentially leading to severe internal bleeding and death if untreated.
Fortunately, boomslangs are generally shy and reluctant to bite, preferring to inflate their neck region and flee when threatened. Bites typically occur only when snakes are handled or cornered with no escape route.
These arboreal hunters spend most of their time in trees and shrubs, actively pursuing birds, bird eggs, chameleons, and other tree-dwelling prey. Their large eyes provide excellent vision for spotting movement, and they can open their mouths to nearly 170 degrees when striking. Despite their dangerous venom, boomslangs play important ecological roles in controlling bird and lizard populations.
Variable Green Snake
The variable green snake (Philothamnus heterodermus) demonstrates considerable variation in appearance across its West African range. This species inhabits forested and woodland areas throughout the region, showing adaptability to various habitat types.
Variable green snakes typically measure 60 to 90 centimeters in length when fully grown, displaying green coloration that ranges from bright emerald to more subdued olive-green shades.
Some individuals show subtle patterns or color variations along their bodies, particularly on the anterior portion. The scales are smooth and glossy, creating a sleek appearance in good lighting.
These diurnal hunters actively search for prey among low vegetation and on the ground, differing from strictly arboreal relatives. Their diet consists primarily of small lizards, geckos, and occasionally frogs. Variable green snakes demonstrate more terrestrial behavior than many other Philothamnus species, though they readily climb when pursuing prey or seeking shelter.
Pro Tip: When trying to identify variable green snakes, examine the temporal scale arrangement on the head. This species typically shows standard double temporal scales, helping distinguish it from similar species.
You’ll encounter variable green snakes in various habitats including forest edges, woodland clearings, agricultural areas with sufficient cover, and suburban gardens. They’re completely harmless and non-aggressive, quickly fleeing when discovered. Like other Philothamnus species, they may bite defensively if handled but pose no medical concern.
Spotted Green Snake
The spotted green snake (Philothamnus punctatus) earns its name from the distinctive dark spots or speckles visible on its bright green body. This relatively small harmless species occurs throughout much of West Africa’s forested and woodland regions.
Spotted green snakes display bright green base coloration marked with small dark spots or stippling, particularly concentrated on the anterior half of the body.
Adults typically reach 50 to 80 centimeters in length, maintaining very slender proportions. Their eyes are proportionally large with prominent yellow to reddish-orange irises that stand out against the green head scales.
These arboreal specialists spend most of their time in shrubs and low trees, rarely ascending to the high canopy or descending to ground level.
They hunt during daylight hours, actively pursuing small geckos, young lizards, and occasionally insects. Their spotted pattern, while visible up close, actually provides effective camouflage in dappled forest light by breaking up the snake’s outline.
Key Insight: The combination of green coloration with dark spots on the front half of the body and distinctive red to yellow iris color makes spotted green snakes relatively easy to identify among West African green snake species.
Spotted green snakes inhabit areas with good vegetation cover, including primary forests, secondary growth, woodland edges, and well-vegetated residential areas.
They’re completely harmless to humans and typically freeze when first detected, relying on camouflage before attempting escape. These snakes rarely bite even when handled, making them among the most docile green snake species in the region.
Safety and Conservation
Understanding green snake identification in West Africa serves both personal safety and conservation goals. While most green snakes you encounter will be harmless Philothamnus species, the presence of highly venomous species like the western green mamba makes accurate identification essential.
When you encounter any green snake, maintain a safe distance of at least two meters and observe without approaching. Never attempt to handle, capture, or kill snakes, as most bites occur during these interactions. If you cannot confidently identify a snake, treat it as potentially dangerous and give it space to retreat.
Habitat loss poses the greatest threat to West African green snakes. Deforestation for agriculture, logging, and development fragments snake populations and reduces available prey. Many species depend on continuous forest cover for survival, making protected areas crucial for their long-term persistence.
You can contribute to snake conservation by supporting habitat protection efforts, educating others about the ecological importance of snakes as pest controllers, and reporting snake sightings to local wildlife authorities or research organizations. Most green snakes pose no danger to humans and deserve protection as valuable components of West African ecosystems.
If a venomous snake bite occurs, remain calm and seek immediate medical attention. Apply a pressure bandage above the bite site using a broad belt or cloth, but do not apply a tourniquet that completely stops blood flow.
Keep the affected limb immobilized and at or below heart level while arranging rapid transport to a medical facility with antivenom capabilities. Do not attempt traditional remedies, cutting, or sucking the wound, as these methods are ineffective and may cause additional harm.
