Breeding behaviour, visual communication and male combat of Philothamnus occidentalis and Philothamnus natalensis

Abstract

Western Natal green snakes (Philothamnus occidentalis) are a relatively common and widely distributed snake across the eastern half of South Africa. Little is known about their reproduction other than information that has been gleaned from others in the genus. We document several separate cases of communal breeding, as well as both aggressive and reproductive visual communication, all of which are new information for this species. This study also documents a breeding event for the eastern Natal green snake (Philothamnus natalensis), which shows different behaviours supporting the recent species split.