Albany Adder
A small adder averaging around 25 cm with a maximum length of 34 cm. The Albany Adder is endemic to the Eastern Cape in the Algoa Bay region where it occupies Albany-thicket and Bontveld grasslands.
Southern Africa has just over 170 different types of snakes with around 11% considered potentially deadly. Adults may differ dramatically in colour and markings and juveniles usually resemble the adults but again may differ in colour, making identification problematic.
A small adder averaging around 25 cm with a maximum length of 34 cm. The Albany Adder is endemic to the Eastern Cape in the Algoa Bay region where it occupies Albany-thicket and Bontveld grasslands.
A small python that averages 1.2 m with a maximum length of around 1.8 m. This protected snake inhabits riverine bush and rugged rocky habitat in Namibia where it hunts for warm-blooded prey such as rodents and birds.
The Anchieta’s Cobra is very similar to the Snouted Cobra in both appearance and behaviour. It occurs in western Zimbabwe, northern Botswana and northern Namibia (and elsewhere further north). Individuals are orange-brown to purple-brown and banded varieties are also found.
A bright emerald green snake that often has dark markings on the first third of the body and some light speckling between the scales. It is a stocky snake that averages 60-90 cm but may exceed 1.2 m in length.
A beautifully-marked slow-moving snake that favours damp localities in grasslands, lowland forest and fynbos where it hunts for nestling rodents, lizards and frogs at night. Adults average 60 cm but may exceed 90 cm.
A beautifully-marked nocturnal snake that averages 40-60 cm with a maximum length of 68 cm. It inhabits the rocky arid regions of Namaqualand and the Karoo extending into southern Namibia. This snake is quite common in some areas and often killed at night on roads by passing vehicles.
There are at least four isolated populations of the Berg Adder, largely occurring at high altitudes except for the Western Cape and Eastern Cape where they may occur at sea level. This snake averages 30 – 40 cm, reaching 60 cm in length. It is fond of basking, especially on mountain paths and rocky ledges.
This harmless burrowing snake spends most of its life underground where it feeds on ants, termites and their larvae. It is often flushed to the surface after heavy rains. As the common name indicates it is largely blind as scales cover the eyes – an adaptation for an underground existence. Bibron’s Blind Snake averages 30 – 38 cm with a maximum length of 48.4 cm.
After the Mozambique Spitting Cobra and Puff Adder, the Bibron’s Stiletto Snake accounts for most serious snakebites in South Africa. It spends most of its life underground but often emerges on hot humid nights and may be stepped on. With large hinged fangs it cannot be handled safely and also cannot be held behind the head – it merely twists its head sideways and will get a fang to penetrate a fingertip.
A colourful nocturnal snake that is usually dark brown or black on top, with yellow or white sides. It is fossorial, only coming to the surface on hot, moist summer nights.