Western green snake

Introduction: The Western Snake (Philothammus angolensis) loves to climb into reed beds along river courses and vleis to hunt for prey. They have developed their very own threat display of inflating the throat to reveal black skin (as is the case with the boomslang) and does not hesitate to bite.

Distribution: Zambezi Region (formerly the Caprivi Strip), Okavango Panhandle and swamps. There is a small population in and around Windhoek extending north through Okahandja to Mount Etjo.

Diet: Small reed birds and lizards and is partial to frogs.

Colouring: An olive-green body with irregular blue-white spots and the skin is black between the scales. The belly is pale green to yellowish-green.

Breeding: Females lay between 5 and 8 eggs in summer. Communal nesting sites are made in rotting vegetation, with up to 85 eggs in position to hatch in a couple of months.

Size: Max SVL male 790mm, female 808mm.