Snakes of South Africa Identification
Snakes of South Africa Identification Identifying snakes can be tricky, there are many characteristics you must look at to properly identify snakes of South Africa. We’ve complied a list of characteristics that will help you identify snakes of South Africa. First,body structure can vary considerably between species and make for a safe and fast way to identify […]
The Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis)
Dendroaspis Polylepis Black Mambas get their name from the inside of their mouths which are light grey to pitch black. Their true colors vary from light to dark grey, dark brown to an olive color. Venomous snake in the world next to the King Cobra. Not only are they super long but they are super-fast and […]
Boomslang (Dispholidus typus)
Description A long slender snake, with an average length of 1.5 meters growing to over 2.0 m in length, with a large blunt head that is distinct from the neck. It has a very large eye, which is characteristic. The body has keeled scales in 19 oblique rows at midbody. The colour is variable, with […]
Ringkals, Rinkhals (Hemachatus haemachatus)
Description A small to medium size snake usually 90 cm to 120 cm in length, but can reach 1,5m. The snake is closely related to the true cobras, but differs from the true cobras in having keeled dorsal scales, in producing live young and in the maxilla bone only carrying the fangs. In all other […]
Forest cobra (Naja melanoleuca)
Description This cobra is of medium build, but becomes robust and thick set in specimens over 1,5m. Rears up high and spreads a long narrow hood. The head is distinct from the neck. Large specimens have very broad heads with bulging temporal muscles. This cobra can reach lengths of 2,7 m. Normal length is 1,5 […]
Berg Adder (Bitis atropos)
Description This is a small adder that on average grows to 35 – 40 cm in length, with a maximum of 49 cm. The head is covered in small, keeled scales and the head is triangular in shape and distinct from the neck. The eye has a vertical pupil. The common name Berg adder is […]
Zebra Spitting Cobra or Barred Spitting Cobra (Naja nigricincta nigricincta)
Description This is a medium size cobra of 1.2 to 1.5m in length, with smooth scales in 21 rows at midbody. The head is distinct from the neck and the adult colour is light grey to pinkish with about 70 black bands that encircle the body and tail. The common name of zebra spitting cobra […]
Gaboon Adder (Bitis. gabonica)
Description A large adder with adults reaching 1,2 – 1,4 meters in length in SA, but this snake grows to 1,8m in East Africa. These large individuals would have fangs up to 50 mm in length. The head is very broad and covered with small keeled scales and distinct from the neck. The tail is […]
Mozambique Spitting Cobra (Naja mossambica)
Description A medium snake growing to 1,6 m in length, slender in build, but becomes robust when large. The head is distinct from the neck with a broad temporal area. The colour is light to dark brown or olive with some scales edged in black. The skin between the scales is black giving this snake […]