Lichtenstein's green racer

Appearance

''P. olfersii'' reaches 1 to 1.5 meters in maximum total length.

Dorsally, it is green in color; ventrally, it is yellowish.

The dorsal scales are smooth, without apical pits, and are arranged in 19 rows at midbody.

Naming

The specific name, ''olfersii'', is in honor of German naturalist Ignaz von Olfers.Some sources do not recognize any subspecies. However, other sources recognize the following three subspecies, including the nominotypical subspecies:

⤷ ''Philodryas olfersii herbeus''
⤷ ''Philodryas olfersii latirostris''
⤷ ''Philodryas olfersii olfersii''

Behavior

This species is often arboreal, but it also forages on the ground. It is diurnal, though it has been observed mating late in the evening.

Habitat

It can be found in many habitat types, including the Cerrado, Caatinga, forests, forest transition, and restinga.

Reproduction

The egg of the snake measures about 5 centimeters . The clutch size is 4 to 11 eggs, with larger females producing more eggs than smaller ones.

Food

Prey items include rodents, lizards, amphibians, and birds, especially nestlings. They will also eat other snakes, including ones almost as large as themselves.

Defense

Snake species in the genus ''Philodryas'' are not considered venomous. However, ''P. olfersii'' is a venomous snake and there have been reports of serious bites causing local and systemic effects requiring medical treatment. The most common symptoms are pain, swelling, erythema, and ecchymosis. There may be a pulsing sensation or numbness at the bite site. Some pus can develop and nearby lymph nodes may enlarge. Bruising or other discoloration can appear quite a distance from the wound site, sometimes occurring far up the arm after a hand wound, even progressing to the neck, chest, and abdomen. Stiffness may affect the entire limb. Patients complaining of snakebite may be given an antivenom for ''Bothrops'' snake venom, which is inappropriate for the treatment of ''Philodryas'' bites. ''Philodryas'' does not cause the coagulopathy that ''Bothrops'' does. The bite of this snake is almost never lethal; only one fatality has been reported, and that in a child.

The secretion that causes injury to bite victims is produced in the snake's Duvernoy's gland and channeled into its prey via a grooved tooth. It is myotoxic, causing muscle damage; muscle tissue hemorrhages and becomes necrotic. The secretion contains toxins such as serine proteases, metalloproteases, C-type lectins, cysteine-rich secretory proteins, and a C-type natriuretic peptide.