Chinese Green Snake

Chinese Green Snake

Ptyas major

Silhouette: Alex Slavenko · PhyloPic

LCLeast ConcernNTVUENCR
Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck
at Taipei

In 3 days ~30% in a week ~50%

81 Verified sightings at Taipei
6 In 1 park From 2019 to 2026
July Best month
🌙 Nocturnal When it's spotted

About the Chinese Green Snake

The Chinese green snake (Ptyas major) is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The Chinese green snake is a slender, medium-sized snake, averaging 75–90 cm (2½-3 feet) in total length, but occasionally growing to 120 cm (4 feet). Bright green above; ventral scales greenish-yellow. Dorsal scales smooth except that males have several mid-dorsal scale rows keeled. Some specimens have scattered black spots on dorsum. Dead specimens often turn bluish.

The Chinese green snake can be found in central and southern China (Hainan, Henan, Gansu, Anhui, Sichuan, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Jiangsu, Shaanxi, Zhejiang, Hong Kong), Taiwan, northern Vietnam, Laos and Bangladesh (Sylhet, Ratargul Swamp Forest).

It is found in humid forests and farmland. The Chinese green snake is diurnal and semi-arboreal. When encountered, they are mild-mannered and rarely bite. Their diet includes earthworms, insect larvae, and other soft-bodied invertebrates. They are oviparous, laying 2–16 eggs per clutch. Young snakes hatch in about two months. Wikipedia →

Global Distribution

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability
1 Taroko National Park 🇹🇼 Taiwan
~10%

More parks will be added in future updates.

Cities Where Found

# City Country Daily sighting probability
1 Taipei 🇹🇼 Taiwan
~10%
2 Hong Kong 🇨🇳 China
~10%
3 Guangzhou 🇨🇳 China
<5%

Before you go

What are the chances of seeing a Chinese Green Snake in Taipei?

With luck

About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Chinese Green Snake sighting in Taipei on a given day, based on 81 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 14th most-seen of the 35 reptiles we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 30%, and over a week to about 50%, if each day is a fresh chance.

When is the best time to see a Chinese Green Snake in Taipei?

July

In that month about 20% of wildlife watchers report a Chinese Green Snake in Taipei on a given day, against under 5% in December to February, the lowest months.

What time of day is best to see a Chinese Green Snake?

Between 8 and 11 pm

Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Chinese Green Snake sightings with a recorded time, and about 8 in 10 of them come between 6 pm and 6 am: it is mostly seen at night.

Is Taipei the best place to see a Chinese Green Snake?

Yes

Of the 3 cities where we can rate Chinese Green Snake sightings, Taipei has the highest daily chance: about 10%. Next come Hong Kong (China, about 10%) and Guangzhou (China, under 5%).

Where does the Chinese Green Snake sighting chance come from?

GBIF citizen-science records

It is estimated from how often the Chinese Green Snake is recorded against all the reptiles logged in Taipei (81 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.

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