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Philothamnus ornatus (Ornate green snake)
Rooistreepgroenslang [Afrikaans]
Life >
Eukaryotes
>
Opisthokonta >
Metazoa
(animals) > Bilateria > Deuterostomia >
Chordata >
Craniata > Vertebrata (vertebrates) > Gnathostomata (jawed vertebrates) >
Teleostomi (teleost fish) > Osteichthyes (bony fish) > Class:
Sarcopterygii (lobe-finned fish) > Stegocephalia (terrestrial vertebrates) >
Tetrapoda
(four-legged vertebrates) > Reptiliomorpha > Amniota >
Reptilia (reptiles) >
Romeriida > Diapsida > Lepidosauromorpha > Lepidosauria >
Squamata > Serpentes
(snakes) > Family: Colubridae > Subfamily:
Colubrinae > Genus:
Philothamnus
Identification
The Ornate green snake can be identified by its rounded
head, a red or brown stripe down its length and yellow or orange irises. It
grows to an average length of 70 cm and a maximum length of 80 cm.
Distribution and habitat
Restricted to the Caprivi strip and a small
part of eastern Zimbabwe. Its favoured habitat is moist savanna.
Food
Eats
frogs.
Predators, parasites and disease
Eaten by other snakes.
Reproduction
Oviparous (egg-laying), lays an unknown number of eggs.
Longevity
Likely to have an average lifespan of
10 years.
Medical importance
Non-venomous and not dangerous to man.
Links
References
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Broadley, D.G. 1983. FitzSimons' Snakes of Southern
Africa. Delta Books, Johannesburg.
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Marais, J. 2004. A Complete Guide to Snakes of Southern Africa.
Struik Publishing, Cape Town.
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