Brown Water Snake
A smallish snake averaging 30-50 cm with a maximum length of 97 cm. It is light to dark brown with a salmon-pink to yellow coloured belly. Snakes from the Western Cape are often much darker.
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 smallish snake averaging 30-50 cm with a maximum length of 97 cm. It is light to dark brown with a salmon-pink to yellow coloured belly. Snakes from the Western Cape are often much darker.
The Bug-eyed House Snake is found in the dry scrub of the Northern Cape, adjacent Western Cape and Namibia. It inhabits Namaqua flats and rocky outcrops.
This snake varies in colour from near black to dark or light brown, beige, yellow or speckled while juveniles have a dark band on the throat. The Cape Cobra is easily confused with the Mole Snake and the Black Spitting Cobra.
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.
A long and slender snake that averages 50-80 cm with a maximum length of 1 m. There are two or three distinct pale crossbars on the sides of the head.
A common snake throughout most of southern Africa except for true desert and closed canopy forests. It averages around 50 cm and is well adapted at climbing trees. It is most abundant in thornveld and grasslands where it can be found in any situation.
This docile, inoffensive snake is active at night when it hunts for prey, especially snakes. It is completely harmless yet eats venomous snakes like cobras and Puff Adders. True to its common name it has a file-shaped triangular body with large grey scales on the body and a light dorsal stripe that extends from behind the head to the tip of the tail.
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.
A common burrowing species that is seldom encountered except after heavy rains or when soil is excavated. It may also be seen active on overcast days. This snake averages around 60 cm but may exceed a meter in length. If threatened it may hide its head under the body and move the tail tip to distract the aggressor and protect its head.
A small snake that averages 30 – 35 cm. It feeds exclusively on snails and slugs and locates them by following the slime trail. The Common Slug-eater favours damp localities in the south-eastern half of southern Africa.