Limpopo Province holds the title for South Africa’s highest reptile diversity, with over 200 species documented in the region. Among these, you’ll encounter several green-colored snakes that range from completely harmless garden visitors to potentially deadly species requiring immediate medical attention if bitten.
Understanding which green snake you’re looking at can literally save your life, as many harmless species are needlessly killed due to mistaken identity.
This guide covers the 10 green snake species you’re most likely to encounter in Limpopo, equipping you with the knowledge to distinguish between friends and threats in your outdoor spaces.
Green Snakes in Limpopo
Boomslang
The Boomslang (Dispholidus typus) ranks among Limpopo’s most dangerous snakes, despite its shy nature and beautiful appearance.
Male Boomslangs display striking bright green coloration, though color varies significantly by region—males from Limpopo typically show vibrant green, while females usually retain brown coloring. This arboreal species can reach lengths up to 2 meters, though most average around 1.5 meters.
You’ll recognize a Boomslang by its short, stubby snout and exceptionally large eyes with pear-shaped pupils. The snake possesses keeled scales that give it a slightly rough texture, and the belly displays light green coloration. These tree-dwelling snakes rarely venture to the ground except for water or hunting opportunities.
Pro Tip: Juvenile Boomslangs under one meter appear grey rather than green, with bright emerald eyes that transition to olive as they mature. This color difference often prevents accurate identification of younger specimens.
The Boomslang’s haemotoxic venom affects blood clotting mechanisms, making bites extremely serious medical emergencies. Initial symptoms include minimal pain and swelling, which can create a false sense of security. Within hours, victims experience blood oozing from the bite site, headaches, mental confusion, nausea, and increased sweating.
Severe internal bleeding follows if left untreated, potentially leading to kidney failure and brain hemorrhage. A specific monovalent antivenom exists for Boomslang bites, making proper identification crucial for treatment.
Despite their deadly venom, Boomslang bites remain exceptionally rare. These docile snakes avoid confrontation and only bite when handled, captured, or accidentally stepped on.
You’ll find them basking in trees throughout Limpopo’s wooded habitats, particularly in savannah and woodland areas where they hunt lizards, chameleons, and birds.
Green Mamba
The green mamba (Dendroaspis angusticeps) generates considerable fear across South Africa, though its presence in Limpopo remains extremely rare.
This species prefers coastal regions, staying within 40 kilometers of the sea in northern KwaZulu-Natal. Most “green mamba” sightings reported in Limpopo involve misidentified Boomslangs or harmless green snakes.
Important Note: Green mambas do not occur in Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Eswatini, or Kruger National Park. Any green snake sighting in these areas is definitely not a green mamba, regardless of size.
True green mambas can reach impressive lengths up to 2.5 meters and possess potent neurotoxic and cytotoxic venom requiring polyvalent antivenom. They display a characteristic elongated coffin-shaped head that distinguishes them from other green species.
The belly shows pale green or yellowish-green coloration, and occasional yellow scales appear on the body. These shy, tree-dwelling snakes rarely venture to ground level.
When juvenile green mambas do exist in their natural coastal range, they hatch around March-April displaying olive to turquoise coloration with lighter green heads and large olive eyes.
Hatchlings measure 30-40 centimeters in length. Adult specimens show bright green coloration with a velvety appearance that sets them apart from the Philothamnus genus of harmless green snakes.
The confusion surrounding green mamba identification has led to countless harmless snakes being killed unnecessarily throughout Limpopo. Learning proper distribution ranges helps prevent this tragedy while keeping you accurately informed about actual risks in your area.
Spotted Bush Snake
The spotted bush snake (Philothamnus semivariegatus) represents one of Limpopo’s most common green snakes and frequently falls victim to mistaken identity.
This completely harmless species actively hunts geckos, frogs, and small lizards in suburban gardens and natural habitats throughout the province. You’ll often find them climbing walls or navigating tree branches with remarkable agility.
This slender, strikingly beautiful snake displays bright green coloration with a distinctive bright orange iris that immediately differentiates it from venomous species.
Prominent black spots mark the first third of the body, sometimes forming cross bars that create banded or striped appearances. The remaining two-thirds show uniform green coloring without markings.
In Limpopo’s drier regions, spotted bush snakes lack the vibrant green typically associated with the species. Instead, these specimens display muted dark green or olive coloration, with the posterior two-thirds showing coppery, bronze, or grey tones. This color variation reflects their adaptation to different moisture levels across the province’s diverse habitats.
Common Mistake: People frequently confuse spotted bush snakes with green mambas or Boomslangs, leading to unnecessary killing. The orange iris provides the quickest identification feature—no dangerous green snake in South Africa possesses this characteristic eye color.
These snakes adapt remarkably well to suburban environments, often entering homes while pursuing prey. When disturbed, they quickly escape up the nearest vertical surface.
They’ll bite readily if handled, but bites remain superficial with no medical significance—the wounds bleed briefly and heal without intervention. Prey items get swallowed while the snake suspends itself from branches or beams.
The spotted bush snake’s distribution spans from the Eastern Cape through KwaZulu-Natal into Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West, and Gauteng. Their prevalence in gardens and residential areas makes them the green snake you’re most likely to encounter around Limpopo homes.
Green Water Snake
The green water snake (Philothamnus hoplogaster) remains the lesser-seen member of Limpopo’s harmless green snake community. This species favors waterways, streams, and dam areas where it hunts frogs, small lizards, and aquatic prey.
The snake’s smaller size—averaging around 60 centimeters—makes it easily overlooked compared to its larger Philothamnus relatives.
This impressively colored snake often displays hints of turquoise, particularly around the head and tail regions. The key identifying factor that amateur herpetologists frequently overlook involves the extremely dark iris—the entire eye appears practically black, easily visible in side profiles.
Blue flecks become visible between scales when the snake inflates its throat region while agitated, exposing brightly colored skin beneath.
You’ll commonly encounter green water snakes throughout Limpopo near permanent water sources. Their distribution extends through North West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, the KwaZulu-Natal interior including the Drakensberg and Natal midlands, southward into the Eastern Cape along the Garden Route, and into the Western Cape.
In certain Garden Route areas, this species occurs in a melanistic variation—completely black specimens lacking any color, though genetically identical to their green counterparts.
The green water snake’s association with aquatic environments distinguishes it from other Philothamnus species that prefer drier woodland and garden habitats.
This ecological specialization means you’re most likely to spot them during early morning or late afternoon hours when they emerge to bask near water edges or hunt along stream banks.
Like all Philothamnus species, green water snakes pose no threat to humans. Their mild venom serves only for subduing small prey and produces no significant effects in people. Their secretive nature and aquatic preferences mean encounters occur less frequently than with the more adaptable spotted bush snake.
Olive Grass Snake
The olive grass snake (Psammophis mossambicus) occasionally displays greenish coloration, though most specimens show olive-brown or tan tones.
This terrestrial species inhabits grasslands, savannas, and open woodland areas throughout Limpopo, where it actively hunts during daylight hours. Unlike the arboreal green snakes, this species spends most of its time on the ground.
These slender, fast-moving snakes can reach lengths up to 1.2 meters and display remarkable speed when pursuing prey or escaping threats.
The head appears relatively narrow and distinct from the neck, with large eyes providing excellent vision for their diurnal hunting lifestyle. Body coloration varies considerably based on geographic location and individual variation, ranging from greenish-olive to brown, grey, or tan.
Key Insight: The “greenish” appearance in olive grass snakes typically involves subtle olive-green tones rather than the bright green of Philothamnus species or male Boomslangs. This distinction helps separate them from truly green snake species.
Olive grass snakes feed primarily on lizards, particularly skinks and small agamas, though they’ll also consume frogs, small rodents, and occasionally other snakes.
Their active foraging behavior involves rapid movement through grass and low vegetation, using visual hunting rather than ambush tactics. This hunting style makes them more visible than sedentary species.
The venom of olive grass snakes remains mild and causes no significant effects in humans. Bites occasionally occur when people attempt to handle these snakes, resulting in minor local pain and swelling that resolves without medical intervention. Their nervous temperament means they prefer rapid escape over defensive behavior when encountered.
Throughout Limpopo, you’ll find olive grass snakes in open habitats where grass and scattered shrubs provide hunting grounds.
They avoid dense forest and heavily wooded areas, preferring the visibility offered by grassland ecosystems. Their terrestrial lifestyle and different habitat preferences help distinguish them from tree-dwelling green snakes.
Natal Green Snake
The Natal green snake (Philothamnus natalensis) occurs in Limpopo primarily along the province’s border with Mozambique, with isolated records throughout the region.
This species favors dense coastal thicket and pristine forests, occasionally entering homes built within natural vegetation. Two subspecies exist—Eastern and Western Natal green snakes—with the Eastern subspecies more commonly encountered in Limpopo’s suitable habitats.
These robust snakes typically display bright emerald green coloration with yellow undersides, though some specimens show several black transverse bars on the dorsal surface.
Adults reach lengths around one meter, with occasional specimens approaching 1.2 meters. The snake’s alert, active, and agile nature makes it an efficient hunter of frogs, small reptiles, chicks, and large insects.
The Eastern Natal green snake inhabits forests and woodland habitats across southern Mozambique, Swaziland, and South Africa. Its South African distribution extends from the Garden Route along the coast through the Eastern Cape into KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and Gauteng.
Within Limpopo, you’ll find them most frequently in the province’s eastern regions where suitable forest habitat exists. This species lacks venom entirely, making it completely harmless to humans despite its readiness to bite when handled.
The bites leave superficial marks that bleed freely for several minutes, with some researchers suggesting anticoagulant properties in their saliva, though this requires further study. Most encounters end with the snake quickly escaping when first noticed.
Pro Tip: Large specimens of Eastern Natal green snakes are frequently confused with juvenile green mambas by people unfamiliar with proper identification features. Remember that green mambas don’t occur in Limpopo, and the Natal green snake’s yellow belly immediately distinguishes it from the pale green belly of actual mambas.
The species breeds in early summer, with females laying small clutches of 3-8 eggs, occasionally producing up to 14 eggs in optimal conditions.
The IUCN considers this species of least concern, though habitat destruction poses ongoing threats to populations throughout their range. Their preference for natural forest habitats means development pressure particularly impacts these snakes.
Yellow-throated Bush Snake
The yellow-throated bush snake (Philothamnus nitidus) adds another harmless member to Limpopo’s green snake community. This species displays bright green coloration on the dorsal surface with distinctive yellow coloring on the throat and ventral areas.
The yellow throat provides the easiest identification feature, immediately separating this species from other Philothamnus snakes in the region.
These slender, agile snakes typically measure 60-80 centimeters in length, occasionally reaching one meter. They inhabit woodland, savanna, and forest edge habitats where vegetation provides cover and hunting opportunities.
Like other Philothamnus species, they’re excellent climbers that spend considerable time in trees and shrubs pursuing arboreal prey.
The diet consists primarily of frogs, geckos, and small lizards, with the snakes actively hunting during daylight hours. Their bright coloration provides surprisingly effective camouflage among sun-dappled leaves and branches, allowing them to approach prey closely before striking. The yellow throat becomes particularly visible when the snake gapes defensively or swallows prey.
Yellow-throated bush snakes occur throughout suitable habitats in Limpopo, though they’re encountered less frequently than the more adaptable spotted bush snake.
Their preference for natural vegetation over suburban gardens means most sightings occur in conservation areas, game reserves, and rural properties with intact bush. The species extends beyond Limpopo into Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and other regions of suitable habitat.
Important Note: Like all Philothamnus species, the yellow-throated bush snake is completely harmless to humans. Any green snake with a distinctly yellow throat and ventral surface observed in Limpopo poses no danger, making this feature valuable for quick field identification.
The snake’s mild temperament means it typically attempts escape rather than defensive behavior when encountered. If cornered or handled, they may bite, but the bites cause only superficial wounds with no medical significance.
Their conservation status remains stable throughout their range, though habitat loss affects populations in heavily developed areas.
African Vine Snake
The African vine snake (Thelotornis capensis) presents a unique member of Limpopo’s green snake community, displaying remarkable camouflage adaptations and unusual head structure.
This rear-fanged species possesses mildly venomous saliva, though bites to humans remain extremely rare due to the snake’s cryptic behavior and retiring nature. The venom serves primarily for subduing prey rather than defense.
These exceptionally slender snakes can reach lengths up to 1.5 meters, with incredibly thin bodies that resemble vines or twigs. The head appears distinctly bird-like when viewed from above, with the snout forming an elongated point. Coloration varies from bright green to brown or grey, with some specimens displaying complex patterns that enhance their stick-like appearance.
The most distinctive feature involves the snake’s eyes, which display horizontal keyhole-shaped pupils unlike any other snake in the region.
This unusual pupil shape provides exceptional binocular vision for precisely judging distances when striking at prey. The large eyes sit forward on the head, giving the snake excellent depth perception for its hunting strategy.
Key Insight: African vine snakes employ a unique hunting technique where they remain motionless among branches, relying on their camouflage to approach or ambush prey. Their body sway mimics wind-blown vegetation, making them nearly invisible in natural settings.
The diet consists primarily of lizards, particularly chameleons and other slow-moving species, along with frogs and occasionally small birds.
The rear-fanged venom delivery system requires the snake to chew on prey to inject venom effectively. This adaptation makes defensive bites against humans unlikely, as the snake must maintain a grip to envenomate effectively.
Throughout Limpopo, you’ll find African vine snakes in woodland and savanna habitats where trees and shrubs provide hunting platforms. They remain one of the region’s most difficult snakes to spot due to their exceptional camouflage and motionless hunting behavior. Most encounters occur when the snakes cross roads or paths while moving between hunting sites.
While technically venomous, African vine snakes pose minimal threat to humans. Their rear-fanged anatomy, mild venom, and reluctance to bite make serious envenomation highly unlikely. The few documented bites produced only local swelling and discomfort that resolved without medical intervention.
Angolan Green Snake
The Angolan green snake (Philothamnus angolensis) extends its range into northern Limpopo, representing another harmless member of the Philothamnus genus.
This species closely resembles other green bush snakes in the region, making accurate identification challenging without detailed examination of scale counts and other morphological features. The overall appearance includes bright green dorsal coloration with lighter ventral surfaces.
These medium-sized snakes typically measure 60-90 centimeters in length, displaying the slender build characteristic of all Philothamnus species.
They inhabit woodland and savanna environments where vegetation provides cover and hunting opportunities for their preferred prey of frogs, geckos, and small lizards. Their arboreal lifestyle means most time gets spent in trees and shrubs rather than on the ground.
The Angolan green snake’s distribution centers on Angola and adjacent regions, with populations extending into northern Namibia, northwestern Botswana, and marginally into northern South Africa including parts of Limpopo.
Within the province, this species occurs less frequently than the more widespread spotted bush snake and Natal green snake, limiting most encounters to Limpopo’s northern reaches.
Distinguishing Angolan green snakes from other Philothamnus species requires attention to subtle features including dorsal scale row counts, subcaudal scale numbers, and temporal scale arrangements.
Field identification often proves difficult, though general location within Limpopo provides clues—specimens from the province’s far northern areas may represent Angolan green snakes, while those from central and southern regions likely belong to more common species.
Common Mistake: Attempting species-level identification of Philothamnus snakes without proper reference materials or expert consultation often leads to errors. All Philothamnus species in Limpopo are harmless, making precise identification less critical from a safety perspective.
The Angolan green snake’s behavior mirrors other Philothamnus species, with active diurnal hunting, excellent climbing ability, and rapid escape when threatened.
They’ll bite if handled, producing superficial wounds of no medical significance. Their mild temperament and secretive nature mean most Angolan green snakes go undetected even in areas where they occur.
Conservation status for this species remains stable throughout its range, classified as least concern by the IUCN. Limited occurrence within South Africa means the species receives less attention than more widespread green snakes, though habitat preservation in northern Limpopo benefits these snakes along with the region’s broader reptile diversity.
Emerald Green Snake
The emerald green snake (Hapsidophrys smaragdinus) represents an occasional visitor to Limpopo, with sporadic records from the province indicating the species’ presence at the southern edge of its range.
This beautiful snake displays brilliant emerald green coloration that justifies its common name, with the bright coloration maintained consistently across its body length. The species belongs to a different genus than the Philothamnus green snakes, showing distinct physical characteristics.
These relatively small snakes typically measure 50-70 centimeters in length, rarely exceeding 80 centimeters. The head appears moderately distinct from the neck, with large eyes providing good vision for hunting.
The body displays smooth scales that give it a glossy appearance, contrasting with the keeled scales of Boomslangs. This scale texture provides one reliable identification feature when comparing green snake species.
Emerald green snakes inhabit forest environments and heavily vegetated areas where dense cover provides hunting opportunities and protection.
Their preference for forest habitats restricts their occurrence in Limpopo to the province’s most well-vegetated regions, particularly areas with gallery forest along watercourses or patches of indigenous forest. This habitat specificity makes encounters rare compared to the more adaptable spotted bush snake.
Pro Tip: The emerald green snake’s brilliant, uniform green coloration without spots, bars, or other markings helps distinguish it from spotted bush snakes and Natal green snakes. However, the species’ rarity in Limpopo means most bright green snakes you encounter will belong to more common species.
The diet consists of small vertebrates including frogs, lizards, and possibly small mammals. Hunting occurs primarily in trees and shrubs where the snake’s green coloration provides effective camouflage among foliage. Their secretive nature and forest habitat preferences mean these snakes are seldom observed even where they occur.
Like other harmless green snakes, emerald green snakes pose no threat to humans. They’re rear-fanged with mild venom used for subduing prey, but the venom poses no medical significance for people. The species’ retiring nature means defensive behavior rarely occurs, with most individuals attempting escape when encountered.
Limited records from Limpopo make it difficult to assess the species’ true status in the province. Whether these records represent established populations at the range edge or occasional wandering individuals remains unclear. The species’ core distribution centers further north in tropical Africa, with South African records representing marginal occurrences at the southern limit of suitable habitat.
Safety and Identification Tips
Understanding the difference between Limpopo’s dangerous and harmless green snakes can prevent both unnecessary snake deaths and potentially dangerous situations.
Only two green snakes in the region pose serious threats—the Boomslang, which occurs throughout Limpopo, and the green mamba, which doesn’t actually occur in the province despite common misidentifications.
Location provides your first identification clue. If you spot a green snake anywhere in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Eswatini, or Kruger National Park, it’s definitely not a green mamba regardless of size.
This single fact eliminates one major source of fear and misidentification across the region. Large green snakes in these areas are most likely male Boomslangs, which do require caution.
Size offers another reliable indicator. Most green mambas encountered in their actual coastal range exceed 1.2 meters in length and measure as thick as a broomstick.
Harmless Philothamnus species rarely exceed one meter and remain much more slender throughout their length. Boomslangs can reach two meters but display distinctive large eyes and stubby snouts unlike the elongated coffin-shaped head of mambas.
Eye color provides quick identification for several species. Spotted bush snakes display distinctive bright orange irises not found in any dangerous green snake.
Green water snakes show extremely dark, nearly black eyes. Juvenile Boomslangs under one meter possess bright emerald eyes, though their grey coloration prevents confusion with green snakes. Adult Boomslang eyes appear olive green.
Belly color helps separate species when visible. Green mambas display green or yellowish-green undersides, while most harmless Philothamnus species show white, cream, or bright yellow bellies.
Boomslangs exhibit light green ventral coloration. Checking the underside requires extreme caution and shouldn’t be attempted on live snakes without proper training.
Important Note: When you cannot confidently identify a green snake, maintain a safe distance of at least two meters and contact a professional snake handler. Attempting to catch, kill, or closely examine unidentified snakes causes most snake bites in South Africa. The African Snakebite Institute maintains a database of qualified snake removers throughout Limpopo.
Scale texture distinguishes Boomslangs from other green snakes when close examination is possible. Boomslangs possess keeled scales that feel rough, while green mambas and Philothamnus species display smooth scales. This feature requires handling or very close observation, making it impractical for field identification of live snakes.
Behavior patterns provide additional clues. Boomslangs and harmless green snakes typically freeze or slowly retreat when first encountered, while threatened green mambas may display defensive posturing with the mouth open, showing the dark interior. However, behavior varies individually, making it an unreliable sole identification feature.
What to Do If Bitten
Snake bites require immediate proper response regardless of the species involved. If bitten by any snake in Limpopo, follow these critical steps:
Attempt to identify the snake through safe observation of color, size, head shape, and behavior, but never pursue or attempt to capture the snake. Take a photo from a safe distance if possible. This information helps medical professionals determine appropriate treatment and whether antivenom is necessary.
Immobilize the victim immediately, as movement accelerates venom spread through the lymphatic system. Have the person lie down and remain as still as possible. If the bite occurred on a limb, position it slightly above heart level to slow venom circulation while avoiding extreme elevation that might compromise blood flow.
Remove any restrictive items including rings, watches, bracelets, or tight clothing near the bite site, as swelling may develop rapidly. Do not wait for swelling to begin before removing these items, as they may become impossible to remove later and cause additional tissue damage through constriction.
Critical Safety Point: Never attempt to suck out venom, apply tourniquets, cut the bite site, apply ice, or use electric shock. These outdated “treatments” cause additional harm without removing venom or slowing its spread. Modern snakebite treatment protocols reject all these methods as dangerous and ineffective.
Call emergency services immediately, requesting ambulance transport to the nearest hospital with snakebite treatment capabilities. In Limpopo, several hospitals maintain antivenom supplies, but not all facilities stock all antivenom types. Informing medical dispatch about the snake type helps direct you to the appropriate facility.
Keep the bitten person calm and reassured during transport. Anxiety and stress increase heart rate, potentially accelerating venom spread. Explain that most snake bites are treatable with proper medical care, and that staying calm improves outcomes. Monitor breathing and consciousness level during transport.
For Boomslang bites specifically, symptoms may not appear immediately, creating a false sense of security. The haemotoxic venom’s delayed effects make medical evaluation critical even when initial symptoms seem minimal. Never assume a Boomslang bite is “dry” or non-envenomated without proper medical assessment.
Hospital treatment for venomous bites includes wound cleaning, tetanus prophylaxis if needed, close monitoring of vital signs and symptoms, and antivenom administration when indicated.
Polyvalent antivenom treats most South African snake bites except Boomslang bites, which require specific monovalent antivenom. Accurate snake identification ensures the correct antivenom is administered.
Living Safely with Green Snakes
Most green snakes you encounter in Limpopo pose no threat to humans and provide valuable ecological services by controlling populations of rodents, frogs, and lizards.
Learning to coexist with these reptiles benefits both human safety and ecosystem health. Several simple practices reduce unwanted snake encounters while protecting these important predators.
Maintain clear spaces around your home by keeping grass cut short and removing debris piles, lumber stacks, and other potential snake hiding spots.
Snakes seek cover during hot days and use these sheltered areas for thermoregulation. Eliminating hiding places near structures reduces the likelihood of surprise encounters when walking around your property.
Seal gaps and openings in buildings to prevent snakes from entering while pursuing prey. Green snakes frequently enter homes while hunting geckos, their primary food source. Installing door sweeps, sealing gaps around pipes and cables, and repairing damaged screens prevents these incidental intrusions without harming the snakes.
Reduce prey populations around structures by controlling rodents, removing standing water that attracts frogs, and turning off unnecessary exterior lighting that attracts insects and the geckos that feed on them. When you eliminate the food source, snakes have no reason to frequent the area and will hunt elsewhere.
Key Insight: Snake-proof fencing provides effective protection for high-risk areas like children’s play spaces. Properly installed barriers using fine mesh prevent snake access while allowing other wildlife movement. Professional installation ensures the fencing functions correctly without gaps that snakes might exploit.
Never attempt to catch, kill, or handle green snakes even if you’re confident they’re harmless species. Most snake bites occur during handling attempts, and even harmless species deliver painful defensive bites. Contact professional snake removers who possess proper training and equipment for safe snake relocation.
Educate children about snake safety using the simple rule: never touch, always tell. Children should immediately inform adults about any snake sighting rather than attempting to interact with or catch the snake. This approach protects children while preserving snakes that benefit your property through pest control.
Appreciate the ecological role these snakes fulfill in Limpopo’s ecosystems. Even the venomous Boomslang serves important functions by controlling chameleon, lizard, and bird populations. Their presence indicates healthy ecosystem function, and their rarity makes each individual valuable for maintaining ecological balance.
Consider reporting significant snake sightings to organizations like the African Snakebite Institute or local nature conservation authorities. These records help researchers track species distributions and identify areas requiring conservation attention. Your observations contribute to scientific understanding of Limpopo’s reptile diversity.
Limpopo’s green snakes represent fascinating components of the province’s exceptional reptile diversity. While only the Boomslang demands serious caution among green species actually found in the region, proper identification skills allow you to distinguish between dangerous and harmless species confidently.
Remember that green mambas don’t occur in Limpopo, and most green snakes you encounter belong to harmless Philothamnus species providing valuable pest control services. By understanding these snakes and responding appropriately to encounters, you can safely share Limpopo’s outdoor spaces with these remarkable reptiles.
