Green Racer
Philodryas viridissima
A slender, bright green, fast-moving snake of South American forests that hunts actively by day for frogs, lizards, and small mammals.
- Venomous?
- Mildly venomous
- Adult length
- 0.9-1.4 m (3-4.6 ft)
- Range
- Amazon Basin and northern South America
Found a snake like this?
Identify any snake from a photo, free.
Overview
The Green Racer is an agile, vividly colored colubrid found across the Amazon Basin and neighboring regions of South America. Its bright green coloration provides effective camouflage among leaves and vines.
A member of the mildly venomous rear-fanged genus Philodryas, it uses its venom primarily to subdue small prey and is not considered a threat to humans under normal circumstances.
How to identify it
- Uniform bright green to yellowish-green dorsal coloration
- Pale green or yellowish belly
- Slender, elongated body built for speed and climbing
- Large eyes with round pupils
- Head barely distinct from the neck, narrow and elongated
Habitat & range
Found in lowland rainforest, forest edges, and riparian vegetation throughout the Amazon Basin and adjacent regions of northern South America, from sea level to moderate elevations. Semi-arboreal, often found in shrubs and low trees.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Diurnal and fast-moving, actively foraging on the ground and in vegetation for frogs, lizards, and small mammals. Uses mild venom delivered through rear fangs to subdue prey. Alert and quick to flee when disturbed, though it may bite defensively if cornered. Egg-laying species.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Green Racer venomous?
It is mildly venomous with rear fangs, mainly used to subdue prey, and not dangerous to humans.
Where does it live?
Rainforests and forest edges throughout the Amazon Basin and northern South America.
What does it eat?
Frogs, lizards, and small mammals.
Is it arboreal or terrestrial?
It is semi-arboreal, moving between the ground and low vegetation.
Green Racer guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Green Racer.
