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WESTERN NATAL GREEN SNAKE
Philothamnus natalensis occidentalis This is a very active and vigilant snake, that lives in wetlands, reed swamps and moist areas near water, mainly because of their main prey, frogs. It is active dusing the day. It is very simular to the Green Water snake, but apparently it spends more time off the ground in scrubs, bushes and trees than the Green Water Snake. Like all snakes, this snake can swim and can often be found in or next to water. This snake is a subspecies of the Natal Green Snake (Philothamnus natalensis). The main difference between the Western and Eastern species is that the Western Natal Green Snake usually has a turquoise tail and head/neck. The adults can reach up to 1.3 meters. The Western Natal Green Snake is harmless, but is often confused with the Boomslang and Green Mamba and the other green snakes within the Genus Philothamnus. This snake feeds mainly on frogs and geckos. The Western Natal Green Snake can be found all along the east coast from Mosselbay to Durban. Most of Nattal, Northwards into the Limpopo Province, and Northern Gauteng. It prefers Moist savanna, arid savanna and grassland biomes. Ventral and Subcaudal scales are keeled. Scale count at midbody are in 15 rows with 156 to 182 ventrals and 108 to 135 paired subcaudals. The anal shield is devided. Louis van Niekerk For more info and pics about this snake and other snakes of South Africa, please visit my Facebook group at: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=96621376042
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