Ghana is a small country in West Africa. It consists of plains and rainforests in the west, Lake Volta in the east, and many poisonous snakes. If you ever get bitten by a snake in Ghana, you are almost guaranteed to be poisoned.
There are over 80 species of snakes in Ghana, including the black cobra, the green mamba, and the Gaboon viper. Most of these snakes are venomous, especially the mamba and the viper, which have bites that are almost always fatal if not treated quickly.
There is a wide variety of snakes in Ghana, with distinct characteristics. In this article, I’ll describe some of the most commonly found snakes in the country, so read on.
1. The Gaboon Viper
The Gaboon viper is a venomous snake species native to Africa, including Ghana and Gabon. It is known for its large size and distinctive coloration, including black, brown, and white markings.
The Gaboon viper is also known for its large fangs, which can be up to two inches (5 cm) long and are used to inject venom into its prey.
This venom is potent and can cause
- Severe pain and swelling at the site of the bite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Difficulty breathing
This species is typically found in rainforests and other moist, tropical environments and is a nocturnal predator. It is a viper that moves slowly, preferring to hunt by ambush rather than actively stalking prey.
Some good news about this particular snake is that they are rarely aggressive toward humans. People might accidentally step on the Gaboon Viper, causing the snake to attack in self-defense.
A bite from a Gaboon viper is considered a medical emergency. Untreated bites from Gaboon vipers mean the loss of a limb or a life.
2. Green Mamba
The green mamba is another venomous snake species, and it is known for its slender body and bright green coloration, which helps it to blend in with its forested habitat.
Unlike Gaboon vipers, the green mamba is an agile and fast-moving snake and can easily climb trees. It feeds on small mammals and birds and uses its venom to subdue its prey. The venom of the green mamba is highly neurotoxic. It can cause symptoms such as
- Dizziness
- Difficulty in breathing
- Paralysis
Despite its reputation as a highly dangerous snake, the green mamba is typically shy and will avoid confrontation with humans if possible. However, a green mamba bite is almost always fatal if untreated, mainly because the venom affects breathing and heart rate.
3. Black Cobra
The black cobra is a venomous snake species that makes its home in the forests and savannas of West Africa, including Ghana. It is known for its glossy black coloration, which helps it to blend in with its shadowy forest habitat.
The black cobra is also a highly venomous species. Its bite can cause severe symptoms such as
- Pain
- Swelling
- Difficulty breathing
The venom, which the snake can spit up to 8 feet (2.4 meters), is a cytotoxin that attacks the blood cells. Sometimes, a bite from a black cobra can be fatal if not treated promptly with antivenom. Most black cobra venom deaths happen due to paralysis of the diaphragm.
As with the green mamba, the black cobra is typically shy around humans and prefers to stay away from them. This reticence is certainly a good thing, as the snake is quite dangerous when it feels threatened.
4. Boomslang
Boomslangs are tree-dwelling snakes found across several African countries, including Ghana. They are members of the family Colubridae, which is a group of non-venomous snakes that have evolved to produce venom.
The boomslang is known for its bright green coloration, which helps it blend in with the leaves of the trees, which is where it lives.
Despite its non-venomous relatives, the boomslang has a potent venom that can cause bleeding disorders in humans. The venom is a haemotoxic venom that attacks the blood and tissues, causing internal bleeding. The toxin can lead to
- Bruises
- Swelling
- Blood in the urine, feces, and vomit
In severe cases, the venom can cause death if left untreated.
Now for the good news — the boomslang is generally not aggressive and will only bite if it feels threatened. However, due to its excellent camouflage, it is often hard to spot, so encounters with humans are not uncommon. If you come across a boomslang, it is best to leave it alone and give it plenty of space.
The boomslang is also an important predator in its ecosystem, feeding on birds, lizards, and small mammals. It is a fascinating snake to observe, but as with any wild animal, it is important to treat it with respect and caution.
5. Ball Python
The ball python, also known as the royal python, is a non-venomous snake found in central and western Africa. It is a popular pet among snake enthusiasts due to its small size, calm disposition, and a wide variety of color and pattern morphs developed through selective breeding.
The ball python gets its name from its tendency to curl up into a tight ball when it feels threatened, with its head tucked inside, protecting its vulnerable underside. In the wild, this behavior allows the snake to blend in with piles of leaves and debris, making it harder for predators to spot.
Despite their small size, ball pythons can live for a long time, with some individuals reaching over 30 years in captivity. They are generally docile and easy to handle, making them a good choice for first-time snake owners.
In the wild, ball pythons feed on small mammals, such as rats and mice. In captivity, you can feed them a diet of frozen rodents that are readily available at most pet stores.
6. Puff Adder
The Puff adder is a deadly poisonous reptile and, worse yet, highly aggressive. It is responsible for the majority of snakebite incidents in Africa. Its venom is potent and can cause severe swelling, pain, and tissue damage if left untreated.
The Puff adder is typically brown to black in coloration, with dark bands on the head and between the eyes replicated along the length of its body.
7. Butterfly Viper
The Butterfly viper is a venomous snake known for the horns on its head. It is also known for its bright, colorful markings, which resemble the wings of a butterfly. Like most predators, the markings serve as camouflage.
The butterfly viper is a nocturnal snake and feeds on small mammals and lizards. It is generally not considered dangerous to humans and will typically announce its presence with a loud hiss.
Nevertheless, it is still important to be careful with the snake, and its venom is quite dangerous, causing internal bleeding and tissue death unless treated immediately.
8. Mali Cobra
The Mali cobra is a venomous snake found in the Savannah regions of West Africa. Like other cobras, it is known for its ability to raise the front part of its body off the ground and spread its hood when threatened.
The Mali cobra is a highly venomous snake, and its bite can be fatal to humans if left untreated. The snake is especially dangerous because it can spit its venom, which earned it the name ‘Katian spitting cobra.’