Battersby's Green Snake

About the Battersby's Green Snake

Philothamnus battersbyi, also known commonly as Battersby's green snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to northeastern Africa. The specific name, battersbyi, is in honor of British herpetologist James Clarence Battersby (1901–1993).

P. battersbyi is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. P. battersbyi is found in a variety of natural habitats close to water, including forest, savanna, grassland, and freshwater wetlands, at altitudes from sea level to 2,600 m (8,500 ft). It has also been found in polluted streams in major cities.

The holotype of P. battersbyi, an adult female, has a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 76.2 cm (30.0 in) and a tail length of 28.3 centimetres (11.1 in). P. battersbyi is arboreal and diurnal. P. battersbyi preys upon amphibians, which may include caecilians, frogs, and toads.

P. battersbyi is oviparous. Clutch size is 3–11 eggs. Some communal nesting has been observed, with as many as 40 adult females laying over 100 eggs together in one nest. Wikipedia →