Do you want to learn about the types of snakes found in Nigeria?

If so, you have come to the right place. In the article below, I have listed the MOST COMMON snakes you can expect to see. Unfortunately, there are so many snakes that live in Nigeria that it would be impossible to list each one. 🙂

You’ll see that the snakes in Nigeria are very different from each other. They range from venomous species to snakes that use constriction to immobilize their prey. In addition, certain snakes are common to find living around people. For each species, you will find out how to identify that snake correctly, along with pictures, interesting facts, and RANGE MAPS!

13 types of snakes in Nigeria:

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#1. Puff Adder

• Bitis arietans

Also known as the African Puff Adder and Common Puff Adder

Identifying Characteristics:

• Adults are 100-150 cm (39-59 in) long.
• They are commonly gray to dusty brown, with yellow chevrons on their backs.
• There are two dark bands on the head, one on the crown and one between the eyes.
• Male Puff Adders are usually larger than females.

 

Puff Adders are one of the most dangerous snakes in Nigeria.

 

This ill-tempered native snake roams savannas, grasslands, and – to the great misfortune of inhabitants – densely populated areas. The Puff Adder gets its name from how it inflates itself when threatened. Instead of moving away, it will hiss a warning to intruders before inflating and striking.

 

Its distinctive chevron pattern in yellow, white, and brown colors allows the Puff Adder to blend into its surroundings. This camouflage is particularly useful for its lifestyle as an ambush predator. Be careful where you wander because this highly-venomous, fast-striking snake seems to come out of nowhere.

The Puff Adder’s venom contains a cytotoxin that can kill a healthy adult human within a day. Their potent venom and tendency to loiter around footpaths make this snake one to avoid. Watch your step!

 

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#2. Boomslang

• Dispholidus typus

Also known as Common African Tree Snake, Kivu Boomslang, and Kivu Large Green Tree Snake

Identifying Characteristics:

• Adults are usually 100-160 cm (39-63 in) long.
• Coloration varies greatly, allowing these snakes to camouflage in different terrains.
• Generally, males are light green, scaled with black and blue, and females are brown.
• Boomslangs have an egg-shaped head and notably large eyes.

 

This slender snake in Nigeria makes its home in low-lying trees.

In fact, its common name Boomslang means “tree snake” in Afrikaans and Dutch. Be careful within this species’ range because the next vine you pull might become a deadly encounter!

This snake’s venom is highly potent, causing bleeding and death for humans, even in small doses. However, compared to front-fanged snakes, which release large amounts of venom at once, rear-fanged snakes like the Boomslang inject small amounts of venom in quick succession.

 

When confronted, the Boomslang will freeze and then swing its head from side to side before quickly attacking. Fortunately, Boomslangs won’t attack humans except as a last resort. If you are bitten, seek immediate treatment. Victims might get a false sense of safety because the venom is slow-acting, but many people have died from internal bleeding hours later.

 

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#3. Spotted Bush Snake

• Philothamnus semivariegatus

Also known as Spotted Green Snake and Variegated Green Snake

Identifying Characteristics:

• They are typically 60-130 cm (24-51 in) long.
• Spotted Bush Snakes have small heads, golden yellow eyes, and blue tongues.
• The upper half of the body can be yellow, green, or blue, while the tail-end is brown. You might also find black spots or stripes.

 

You might encounter the Spotted Bush Snake in Nigeria in forested areas or suburban gardens.

These beautifully-patterned snakes have keeled, or ridged, belly scales, allowing them to easily climb walls, trees, and bushes. Curiously, they’re fantastic swimmers as well!

Often misidentified as the more dangerous Green Mamba, Spotted Bush Snakes are non-venomous and harmless to humans. Instead, they’re patient hawk-eyed hunters, staying completely still before swiftly attacking lizards, geckos, and frogs in daylight.

 

Spotted Bush Snakes are alert, nervous animals and will immediately flee upon sensing danger. They don’t have established territories and are noted to travel far and wide in pursuit of their prey. So if you find one astray in your home, leave a window open, and it’ll leave soon!

 

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#4. Red-lipped Snake

• Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia

Also known as Common Herald Snake, White-lipped Herald Snake, Savanna White-lipped Snake, Black-templed Cat Snake

Identifying Characteristics:

• This snake can grow to 70-100 cm (28-39 in) long.
• Coloration is usually olive green or gray on the back, sometimes speckled white. Its head is notably black.
• True to its name, it has a bright red (sometimes orange or yellow) upper lip most prominently displayed when it feels threatened.
• The head is broad and triangular, while the tail is short.

 

You’ll find Red-lipped Snakes near marshlands, bogs, and lowland forests in Nigeria.

They also gravitate towards the suburbs, so you might bump into one in your backyard after an evening rain.

Most active during the night, these land snakes prey on amphibians such as toads and frogs. Their venom is mild, effective only on their chosen prey, and harmless to humans. They also have a mild and shy demeanor.

 

Don’t test your luck, though. Red-lipped snakes have a trigger-happy temper when provoked. So even though its venom isn’t dangerous, its bite is still painful!

 

Interestingly, the Red-lipped Snake got its other common name, the Herald Snake, from a newspaper story. It was first mentioned in the Eastern Cape’s Herald newspaper!

 

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#5. Ball Python

• Python regius

Also known as the Royal Python

Identifying Characteristics:

• These relatively small snakes only measure 100-182 cm (39-72 in) long.
• They have small heads and thin necks. Their scales are smooth.
• Ball Pythons can be black or brown-bodied with light and dark blotches on the back. The belly is white.
• Sometimes, yellow stripes appear from the nostrils to the eyes.

 

As you might have guessed from its name, the Ball Python is more likely to curl into a ball than bite if threatened. However, because of their docile behavior, many people choose to keep them as pets. With proper care, they live 15-30 years on average.

 

Unfortunately, the pet trade has wreaked havoc on their worldwide distribution. Because of poaching, habitat destruction, and egg hunting for trade, Ball Pythons are listed as a Near Threatened species by the IUCN. On the other hand, irresponsible pet owners have let Ball Pythons escape, allowing this species to become invasive in places where it’s not native.

In the wild, the smaller males hunt birds and bats in trees, while the larger females hunt rodents or small mammals on land. Both males and females incapacitate their prey with crushing constriction, then swallow it whole.

 

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#6. Egyptian Cobra

• Naja haje

Also known as the Brown Cobra

Identifying Characteristics:

• On average, these snakes are 140-259 cm (55-102 in) long.
• The easiest way to recognize the Egyptian Cobra is through its broad, flattened head distinct from its long, ribbed neck, which expands to form a hood when it feels threatened.
• Coloration varies geographically, but the most common is brown. However, some snakes are red, gray, or black.

 

The Egyptian Cobra is as deadly as it is famous. It can be traced back to ancient Egypt, where Pharaohs used it to symbolize their power to take life. Today, you’ll find this snake in Nigeria swimming in shallow waters or resting in abandoned animal burrows.

The venom of the Egyptian Cobra has neurotoxins and cytotoxins that assault the nervous system. Respiratory failure and death may happen in the worst-case scenario. The venom is slow-acting, so seek treatment if you get bitten, even if you don’t immediately show symptoms.

 

Foraging for food sometimes brings the Egyptian Cobra to human settlements. However, it will favor escaping if confronted. Its favorite meals are toads, but it will also go for lizards, birds, and other snakes.

 

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#7. Gaboon Viper

• Bitis gabonica

Also known as Gaboon Adder, Forest Puff Adder, Butterfly Adder, Whisper, Swampjack

Identifying Characteristics:

• Their typical size is 80–205 cm (31-81 in) long.
• Females are heavy and stout, while males have longer tails in proportion to their body length.
• You’ll see faded, rectangular blotches down the snake’s back, with yellowish hourglass-shaped marks along the gaps.

 

The Gaboon Viper boasts the longest fangs of any snake in Nigeria!

Incredibly, they can grow up to 6 cm (2.3 in) long. This is one snake you definitely want to steer clear of!

Interestingly, its fangs aren’t the only unusual thing about this species. It also has the highest venom yield of any snake worldwide because of its hunting style. Unlike most vipers, it doesn’t release once it engages in a bite, injecting massive amounts of venom into its prey.

 

Watch your step because this nocturnal viper has near-perfect camouflage. It’s practically invisible amid fallen leaves on the forest floor and can remain motionless for hours hunting small birds and mammals.

 

The Gaboon Viper’s venom can be fatal in large doses or cause severe necrosis in the bite area. Fortunately, bite incidents are rare. These snakes are normally non-aggressive, sluggish, and are only encountered in dense rainforests.

 

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#8. Central African Rock Python

• Python sebae

Also known as Northern African Rock Python

Identifying Characteristics:

• Adults reach impressive lengths of 350-750 cm (138-295 in).
• It has two noticeable lines from the nose to the back of the head.
• Striped blotches decorate the body, colored olive, brown, or yellow.
• There is a distinct yellow inverted “V” marking under the eyes.

 

The Central African Rock Python is the longest snake in Nigeria!

 

Found near bodies of water, this heavyweight python enjoys environments such as forests, savannas, swamps, and semi-deserts.

Central African Rock Pythons may be non-venomous, but don’t let that give you a false sense of security. This species is strong enough to kill a human with its powerful constriction. Additionally, they routinely swallow antelopes, monkeys, and monitor lizards whole.

 

Unlike most snakes, Central African Rock Pythons are protective mothers. They fiercely guard their nest after laying eggs, protecting their young from predators and lashing out at unsuspecting passersby. They’re even known to be territorial of a nest after the eggs have hatched!

 

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#9. Blanding’s Tree Snake

• Toxicodryas blandingii

Also known as Blanding’s Cat Snake, Black and Yellow Tree Snake, Brown Tree Snake

Identifying Characteristics:

• These are thick-bodied snakes with slender tails, measuring 160-279 cm (63-110 in) long.
• Females and subadults are brown and spotted, while males are black and yellow.
• They have short, broad heads distinct from their narrow necks.
• Vertical slits punctuate their large, dark eyes.

 

The Blanding’s Tree Snake makes its home in rainforests and wooded savannas south of the Sahara desert. As an exceptionally talented climber, it can be found up to 30 meters (98 feet) off the ground in the trees.

This rear-fanged snake hunts by moving slowly across intertwining branches to inspect the cracks and hollows of trunks. They have an appetite for rodents, lizards, chameleons, and bird eggs.

 

You might chance upon it in parks and gardens searching for prey. Occasionally, this snake wanders inside buildings to hunt roosting bats. It inflates its body and opens its mouth wide as a warning before striking. While Blanding’s Tree Snakes are venomous, they don’t pose a significant threat to humans.

 

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#10. Emerald Snake

• Hapsidophrys smaragdinus

Also known as Emerald Tree Snake

Identifying Characteristics:

• These snakes are 76-122 cm (30-48 in).
• Their coloring is emerald green, with some aqua blue scales.
• The short head is strongly arched between the eyes.

 

As an arboreal species, the Emerald Snake in Nigeria spends most of its life climbing, hunting, and traveling from tree to tree. Its deep green camouflage and slender vine-like appearance make it nearly invisible among vines and foliage! Consequently, you’ll have to look hard if you want to catch it in action.

Emerald Snakes have a particularly interesting defense mechanism that starts with inflating the skin of its neck. Once inflated, a pattern of black skin, light blue spots, and green scales are revealed, startling and confusing the predator. This display gives the Emerald Snake a chance to retreat into the tangle of leaves and branches quickly.

 

Emerald Snakes are non-venomous and non-aggressive, but their bites may cause rashes and itchiness. Because of their docile nature and bright coloring, they are sometimes sold as pets, living 10-15 years in captivity.

 

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#11. Forest Cobra

• Naja melanoleuca

Also known as Central African Forest Cobra, Black Cobra, Black and White-lipped Cobra

• A. Morph #1 (for forests): Glossy black body with broad cross-bars and blotches. There are black and white bars on the lips. The underside is white.

• B. Morph #2 (for savannas): The body has black and yellow bands with a black tail. The head, lips, and throat are yellow.

• C. Morph #3 (for coastal plains): Black body fades to brown towards the tail. The belly is creamy yellow and heavily speckled. Some specimens are completely black.

 

If you want to avoid this snake in Nigeria, don’t go peeking around holes in the ground!

This DANGEROUS venomous species likes to nest in burrows. The Forest Cobra is the largest cobra species in the world, attaining lengths of 140-320 cm (55-126 in), and prefers living in wet woods. However, it adapts easily to drier environments as long as there’s access to a body of water.

These snakes eat a wide variety of food. Being semi-aquatic, they sometimes enjoy hunting for fish and amphibians. But they also spend time hunting rodents, lizards, and other snakes on land. However, tree-dwellers aren’t safe either. The Forest cobra will nimbly climb trees to eat insects and bird eggs.

 

A bite from a Forest Cobra delivers large quantities of highly potent venom, capable of killing a human within 30 minutes. Therefore, extreme caution is advised in the presence of this highly aggressive and dangerous snake.

 

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#12. Brown House Snake

• Boaedon fuliginosus

Also known as the Common African House Snake, Sooty House Snake, Black House Snake, Olive House Snake

Identifying Characteristics:

• Adults average a length of 60-150 cm (24-59 in).
• Juveniles are solid black, while adults are dark brown or gray with faint stripes and spots.
• The scales are smooth and iridescent, appearing white when they reflect light.
• Its body is thinner at the sides.

 

The Brown House Snake is one of the most common snakes in Nigeria.

Its name hints at its habit of visiting homes, which is where most people see this species. However, this nocturnal snake can also thrive in woodlands, savannas, scrublands, and grasslands.

Brown House Snakes seek small mammals and reptiles as a food source. They put their prey into a stranglehold and swallow them whole without chewing. They particularly enjoy mice, so if you’re dealing with an infestation, these snakes might be nearby.

 

Luckily, the Brown House Snake is non-venomous and timid. It’s likely to flee or curl up tightly into a corner if threatened.

 

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#13. Black-necked Spitting Cobra

• Naja nigricollis

• A. Morph #1: Black or gray body with pink bars on the broad neck and a reddish belly.
• B. Morph #2: Light brown or yellow body with no neck bands.
• C. Morph #3: White and black stripes on the body or solid white with dark eyes.
• Average length is 1-2 m (4-7 ft).

 

Look for these snakes in Nigeria near streams and rivers in savannas.

Black-necked Spitting Cobras are highly adaptable and can be active day or night. This far-ranging snake’s prey includes small vertebrates on the ground or bird eggs in trees.

When confronting possible threats, Black-necked Spitting Cobras rise from the ground and spread their impressive neck hoods. Then, true to their name, they will spit venom to blind their aggressors. Keep your eyes covered because these cobras have amazing aim and can hit their target up to seven meters away!

 

Black-necked Spitting Cobra bites can cause symptoms such as swelling, blistering, extreme pain, and loss of limb function. In worst-case scenarios, death may occur due to paralysis of the diaphragm.

 

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Do you need more help identifying a snake you saw in Africa?

 

If so, check out this field guide, which is full of great information!

• Snakes of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East

   

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Learn more about animals found in Nigeria in these ID Guides:

• The Most Common Birds Found in Nigeria

• Common Spiders That Live in Nigeria

• 25 Amazing ANIMALS to see in Nigeria! (ID guide w/ pics)

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Which of these snakes have you seen before in Nigeria?

 

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