Dangerous Snakes of the Mpumalanga Province
The Medically Significant Snakes of the Mpumalanga Province: A Factual Guide
The Mpumalanga Province has a number of veld types (field-types) suitable for a range of dangerous snakes. including the cool Highveld grasslands in the south and west of the province to the mountainous escarpment further east, and then further north and east beyond the escaprment one sees hot lowveld savanna and bushveld areas bordering the Kruger National Park. The Mpumalanga Province has a high density of some of Africa's most notorious and dangerous snakes. It is home to six species considered Highly Venomous (has caused human fatalities).
SCROLL INDEX
Highly Venomous Species (Potentially Life-Threatening Bites)
- Puff Adder
- Black Mamba
- Mozambique Spitting Cobra
- Snouted Cobra
- Rinkhals
- Boomslang
- Southern Twig Snake
Regional and Rare Dangerous Species
Highly Venomous/Life Threatening Species
Dangerous/Medically Significant Species
Highly Venomous Species (Potentially Life-Threatening Bites)
These species have venom that can result in human fatality without quick medical intervention and usually require antivenom.
Puff Adder from near Skukuza, Kruger Park, Mpumalanga © László Haraszthy, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC)
DANGEROUS SNAKES OF THE MPUMALANGA PROVINCE
Puff Adder (Bitis arietans)
- Distribution within the Mpumalanga Province: Widespread and common across almost all habitats in the province, from the Highveld to the Lowveld.
- Danger Level: Highly Venomous (Very Dangerous – has caused human fatalities).
- Venom Type: Potently Cytotoxic venom, causing Painful Progressive Swelling Syndrome.
- Description: The heavy-bodied viper that is exceptionally camouflaged. It is slow-moving and often basks in the sun or lies on footpaths and trails, resulting in a high number of human encounters and bites.
Black Mamba from near Timbivati, Mpumalanga © Malcolm Douglas, some rights reserved (CC BY NC)
DANGEROUS SNAKES OF THE MPUMALANGA PROVINCE
Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis)
- Distribution within the Mpumalanga Province: Restricted to the Lowveld and warmer bushveld areas east of the escarpment (e.g., Kruger National Park, Komatipoort).
- Danger Level: Highly Venomous (Very Dangerous – has caused human fatalities).
- Venom Type: Potent Neurotoxic venom, causing Progressive Weakness Syndrome.
- Description: A large, highly feared snake of the bushveld. It has a narrow, “coffin-shaped” head and is renowned for its speed. It is one of the deadliest snakes in Africa.
Mozambique Spitting Cobra from near Mopani, Kruger National Park, Mpumulanga © Jeanette Zitzer, some rights reserved (CC BY NC)
DANGEROUS SNAKES OF THE MPUMALANGA PROVINCE
Mozambique Spitting Cobra (Naja mossambica)
- Distribution within the Mpumalanga Province: Common throughout the Lowveld and the foothills of the escarpment.
- Danger Level: Highly Venomous (Very Dangerous – mainly causing extensive tissue damage, but has caused human fatalities).
- Venom Type: Highly Cytotoxic venom, which is spat accurately towards the eyes, causing Painful Progressive Swelling Syndrome.
- Description: A nervous, spitting cobra common in the bushveld. Its habit of hunting at night and sometimes entering homes and beds makes it highly dangerous.
Snouted Cobra from near White River, Mpumulanga © Malcolm Douglas, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC-SA)
DANGEROUS SNAKES OF THE MPUMALANGA PROVINCE
Snouted Cobra (Naja annulifera)
- Distribution within the Mpumalanga Province: Found primarily in the bushveld and Lowveld regions in the northern and eastern parts of the province.
- Danger Level: Highly Venomous (Very Dangerous – has caused human fatalities).
- Venom Type: Mixed Neurotoxic and Cytotoxic venom, causing Progressive Weakness Syndrome and Painful Progressive Swelling Syndrome.
- Description: A large cobra of the savannah and grassland, often seen crossing roads. Colouration varies from uniform brown/yellow to boldly banded black and yellow. It readily rears and hoods when disturbed.
Rinkhals from near Middelburg © Luke Goddard, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC)
DANGEROUS SNAKES OF THE MPUMALANGA PROVINCE
Rinkhals (Hemachatus haemachatus)
- Distribution within the Mpumalanga Province: Widespread in the cooler Highveld grasslands (e.g., Ermelo, Standerton, Bethal) and absent from the Lowveld.
- Danger Level: Highly Venomous (Dangerous – although bites are not usually deadly, it has cause fatalities).
- Venom Type: Mixed Cytotoxic and Neurotoxic venom, which it can spit accurately, causing Painful Progressive Swelling Syndrome and Progressive Weakness Syndrome.
- Description: A medium-sized cobra relative known for its habit of feigning death when severely threatened. It is typically dark brown to black and displays distinct white or cream bands across its throat when hooded.
Boomslang from Madadeni, Nkomazi, Mpumalanga © Shane Ngwenya, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC)
DANGEROUS SNAKES OF THE MPUMALANGA PROVINCE
Boomslang (Dispholidus typus)
- Distribution within the Mpumalanga Province: Widespread across the province wherever there is suitable tree cover, from the Lowveld to wooded areas on the Highveld.
- Danger Level: Highly Venomous (Very Dangerous – has caused human fatalities).
- Venom Type: Potently Haemotoxic venom, causing Bleeding Syndrome.
- Description: A large-eyed, shy, and mostly arboreal snake. Despite the high potency of its venom, bites are rare as it is reluctant to bite humans.
Southern Twig Snake from Skukuza, Kruger Park, Mpumalanga © Bernard DUPONT, some rights reserved (CC-BY-SA)
DANGEROUS SNAKES OF THE MPUMALANGA PROVINCE
Southern Twig Snake (Thelotornis capensis)
- Distribution within the Mpumalanga Province: Found in the bushveld and lowveld east of the escarpment.
- Danger Level: Highly Venomous (Very Dangerous – has caused human fatalities).
- Venom Type: Haemotoxic venom, causing Bleeding Syndrome.
- Description: A cryptic tree snake that looks remarkably like a twig. Its excellent camouflage and reluctance to flee make it dangerous if accidentally handled.
Regional and Rare Dangerous Species
These snakes have a Dangerous bite, but do not cause death and no antivenom is required.
Berg Adder from near Long Tom Pass, Mpumalanga © Alex Rebelo, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC)
DANGEROUS SNAKES OF THE MPUMALANGA PROVINCE
Berg Adder (Bitis atropos)
- Distribution within the Mpumalanga Province: Restricted to the high-altitude escarpment and mountainous regions (e.g., Graskop, Wolkberg, Long Tom Pass).
- Danger Level: Venomous (Venom often causes severe pain and non-fatal systemic effects. Known to cause transient blindness).
- Venom Type: Predominantly Cytotoxic venom, causing Painful Progressive Swelling Syndrome (with possible neurotoxic effects).
- Description: A small, slow-moving adder with a triangular head, typically grey-brown with indistinct darker markings. It often relies on camouflage rather than fleeing.
Snouted Night Adder from near Timbavati, Kruger Park, Mpumalanga © Malcolm Douglas, some rights reserved (CC BY NC)
DANGEROUS SNAKES OF THE MPUMALANGA PROVINCE
Snouted Night Adder (Causus defilippii)
- Distribution within the Mpumalanga Province: Found primarily in the lowveld and hot bushveld areas.
- Danger Level: Venomous (Dangerous).
- Venom Type: Mildly Cytotoxic venom, causing Painful Progressive Swelling Syndrome.
- Description: Smaller than the Rhombic Night Adder, this species has a prominent upturned snout and a velvety appearance. It is generally docile but will strike if provoked; the bite causes pain and swelling but is not lethal.
Rhombic Night Adder from Piet Retief district, Mpumalanga © cobushitge, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC)
DANGEROUS SNAKES OF THE MPUMALANGA PROVINCE
Rhombic Night Adder (Causus rhombeatus)
- Distribution within the Mpumalanga Province: Widespread, particularly in the wetter eastern parts and the escarpment.
- Danger Level: Venomous (Dangerous).
- Venom Type: Mildly Cytotoxic venom, causing Painful Progressive Swelling Syndrome.
- Description: A common, medium-sized snake with dark, diamond-shaped patterns. It is mostly active at night and is responsible for many painful, but usually non-lethal, bites.
Stiletto Snake from near White River, Mpumalanga © Malcolm Douglas
DANGEROUS SNAKES OF THE MPUMALANGA PROVINCE
Bibron's Stiletto Snake (Atractaspis bibronii)
- Distribution within the Mpumalanga Province: Common in the warmer Lowveld and bushveld regions, as well as some northern areas.
- Danger Level: Dangerous (Painful bite, often requiring hospitalisation).
- Venom Type: Potent Cytotoxic venom, causing Painful Progressive Swelling Syndrome.
- Description: A burrowing snake often seen on the surface after rain. It is often mistaken for a harmless snake, but its long, unique fangs make any attempt to grab or pin it behind the head extremely dangerous.
Intermediate Shield nose Snake from Pretoriuskop Skukuza road photo by Marius Burger, no rights reserved (CC0)
DANGEROUS SNAKES OF THE MPUMALANGA PROVINCE
Intermediate Shield-nose Snake (Aspidelaps scutatus intermedius)
- Distribution within the Mpumalanga Province: Found in the sandy soils of the Lowveld (including Kruger National Park) and northern regions.
- Danger Level: Venomous (Dangerous – bites are rare but require medical attention).
- Venom Type: Mixed Neurotoxic and Cytotoxic venom, causing Progressive Weakness Syndrome and Painful Progressive Swelling Syndrome.
- Description: A small, nocturnal, burrowing snake. It will flatten its neck into a hood and hiss loudly if threatened. Body light brown or salmon with a series of feint blotches and sometimes a slightly darker neck/head area. Black bands under the neck are clearly visible when the snake is hooded.
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Safety and Medical Protocol
In the event of a snakebite, immediate hospitalization is mandatory. Treatment involves managing symptoms, pain control, and the administration of species-specific antivenom where applicable (available for Mambas, Puff Adders, and Cobras). Never attempt to use methods such as tourniquets, cutting the wound, or sucking out venom. The safest approach to coexistence is to maintain distance and allow all snakes to move away naturally.
