Not Every Green Snake Is Harmless
Some time ago, I shared a post about a snake I saw preying on a praying mantis. It was one of those encounters that left me curious enough to write about it. But there was a question in the comment section that made me curious all over again.
My friend, @blessedlife, asked me whether I had any idea what variety of snake it was and if it was venomous.
Honestly, I didn't have an answer for her at the time. I had seen the snake, watched what it was doing, and shared the experience, but I hadn't really thought about identifying its species.
So, I decided to do a little research.
One thing I discovered is that not every green snake is a green mamba, and not every green snake is harmless either.
Nigeria is home to different snake species. Some are harmless to humans, while others possess venom that can cause serious harm. The West African green mamba, for instance, is highly venomous and is found in parts of West Africa. There are also green bush snakes that are generally considered harmless to humans. Unfortunately, their similar colours can make identification difficult for someone without the right knowledge.
very dangerous green mamba
Now, back to the snake we saw that day.
Was it a venomous snake?
I wish I could give a definite answer, but I can't. All I remember is that it was green and was busy having its meal, which happened to be the praying mantis. Without a clear photograph and proper identification, it would be wrong to confidently name the species or declare it harmless.
And honestly, I don't think I need to get close enough to find out.
snake from the other day
I've chosen to take my dear friend's advice by staying away from its habitat. Well, I also hope it stays away from mine and continues living peacefully in its natural environment.
I believe humans and wildlife can share the same environment without every encounter ending in an injury or a dead animal. Sometimes, the best thing we can do is appreciate nature from a safe distance and allow other creatures to go about their lives.
After all, the snake was simply doing what snakes do: surviving.
And me? I have my own life to live, without unnecessary encounters with something I cannot confidently identify.
So, dear snake, let us agree to stay in our respective spaces. You enjoy your habitat, and I'll enjoy mine. All things being equal, we can avoid unnecessary casualties on both sides.
Not all snakes are venomous...here are some:
Common Trinket Snake
Yellow Spotted Wolf Snake
October 21, 2026
I’m glad my curiosity sparked your interest, even if you still don’t know for sure whether the snake was venomous or not. I still find myself admiring the photograph from that day—the one where it caught the mantis.
Did you take all these photographs yourself? I know people who can’t even stand to look at pictures of snakes. I have to admit, that green mamba scares me, but it’s absolutely beautiful.
As far as I know, two things to look for when trying to determine if a snake is venomous are the shape of its head (triangular) and its striking colors—though I’m certainly not qualified to make any definitive judgment.
I suspect most people don’t want to take the time to figure that out the moment they see one; I imagine that’s why so many harmless snakes end up being killed.
Your approach is incredibly friendly and respectful toward life. My mother always talks to the creatures (mostly insects) she encounters, telling them to stay in their own habitat—otherwise, she’ll have to take action, even if she doesn’t want to. She claims it actually works!
I think I'll start doing like your mother then
I guess when next i get to see a snake..I'll just speak to it😀
And yea the green mamba was literally scary too when I saw it...but looked quite impressive 😳 👌