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.
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.
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.
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.
Boulenger’s garter snake is secretive and seldom encountered. Juveniles have 12 – 17 white or pale-yellow bands on the body and tail that fade with age. Adults are usually plain blackish brown or dark brown with a lighter belly and may have 8 – 17 narrow, pale white bands. It is a fossorial snake that may emerge at night from an underground shelter or deserted termite mound.
A colourful nocturnal snake that is widespread in the drier western part of southern Africa. It shelters under rocks during the day and moves around at night, often seen crossing roads.
Despite the common name, the Night Adder is more active during the day. It averages 30 – 60 cm in length, but can reach 1 m. It can be identified by the distinct dark V-marking on the head.
The Desert Mountain Adder averages 40 cm with a maximum length of just over 60 cm. It inhabits mountain slopes and sparsely vegetated rocky hillsides along the Orange River valley from Augrabies to the Richtersveld and into southern Namibia along the Fish River Valley.
A small adder, averaging 25 – 40 cm with a maximum length of nearly 60 cm and usually has two prominent horns – one above each eye. It is widespread occurring from the Eastern Cape to the Western Cape, Northern Cape, North West, Gauteng and Limpopo, as well as further north.
A smallish nocturnal snake that averages 30 – 45 cm in length and with a maximum length of 59 cm. It spends most of its time foraging in loose sand in search of small mammals, frogs and especially legless lizards, using its large rostral scale as a bulldozer.
The Kunene Coral Snake occurs throughout much of Namibia and into Angola. It averages 60 cm but may exceed 75 cm in length. It is a nocturnal snake that favours rocky areas in savanna and karoo scrub and is active at night. It is often seen crossing roads.