MOST COMMON SNAKES

on the Swartberg Circle Route

VENOMOUS SNAKES

Cape Cobra

(Naja nivea)

Afrikaans: Kaapse Kobra, Geelslang, Kapel
Size: Average Length 1m-2m.
Colour: A wide range, from various shades of yellow and brown (sometimes with speckles) to dark almost black. The young usually have a dark band at the neck.
Habitat: Varies from arid regions to coastal fynbos.
Venom: Neurotoxic (effects the body’s respitatory system)

*Naja nivea aka Cape Cobra
Highly venomous

Cape Cobra
Boomslang

(Dispholidus typus)

Afrikaans: Boomslang
Size: Average Length 1m-1.8m
Colour: Males are black above with a yellow or lighter coloured belly & sides. Females are usually brown in colour. Juvenile boomslang are grey with huge emerald green eyes and usually blue specks on the back.
Habitat: Varies from arid regions to coastal fynbos and forest.
Venom: Haemotoxic (effects the bodies blood clotting ability)

*Dispholidus typus aka Boomslang
Highly venomous 

Boomslang
Puff Adder

(Bitis arietans)

Afrikaans: Pofadder
Size: Average Length 70cm-1.2m
Colour: Usually dark body with various degrees of yellow chevron (half circle) markings.
Habitat: Found in almost any habitat except for mountain tops and forests.
Venom: Cytotoxic (Damages body tissue)

*Bitis arietans aka Puff Adder
Highly venomous 

Puff Adder
Cape Coral Snake

(Aspidelaps lubrics)

Afrikaans: Kaapse Koraalslang
Size: Average Length 40cm.
Colour: Orange to red body with black banding.
Habitat: Prefers arid regions
Venom: Neurotoxic (Usually non-lethal)

 

*Aspidelaps lubrics aka Cape Coral Snake
Venomous: Usually non-lethal

Cape Coral Snake
Spotted Harlequin Snake

(Homoroselaps lacteus)

Afrikaans: Gevlekte kousbandjie
Size: Average Length 30-50cm.
Colour: Black head, with alternate black and yellow bands or blotches all down the body, and a bright orange or red vertebral stripe running from the top of the head to the tail.
Habitat: Found through South Africa but prefer coast sandy areas, lowland forests and moist grasslands
Venom: Mildly cytotoxic (Causes mild pain and swelling)

 

*Homoroselaps lacteus aka Spotted Harlequin Snake
Mildy venomous

Spotted Harlequin
Karoo Whip Snake

(Psammophis notostictus)

Afrikaans: Karoo sweepslang
Size: Average Length 70-90cm.
Colour: Grey to brown above with stitch like marking, sides and belly are white to grey.
Habitat: Various habitat from arid regions to coastal fynbos
Venom: Non-lethal (Minimal to no effect on humans & pets)

*Psammophis notostictus aka Karoo Whip Snake
Venomous: Usually non-lethal

Karoo Whip Snake

non-VENOMOUS SNAKES

Mole Snake

(Pseudaspis cana)

Afrikaans: Molslang
Size: Average Length 1-2m.
Colour: Black in the Western parts of the Wester Cape, but usually brown or reddish brown . Young specimens are light or dark brown, with a regular series of darker blotches along the back.
Habitat: Sandy areas particularly coastal fynbos.
Non-Venomous: Can inflict painful bite.

*Pseudaspis cana aka Mole Snake
Non-Venomous 

Mole Snake
Brown House Snake

(Boaedon capensis)

Afrikaans: Bruinhuisslang
Size:  Average Length 50cm-1m.
Colour: Degrees of brown above with a mother of pearl belly and sides. Prominent white stripe above the eye.
Habitat: Found in all habitats particularly common around human dwellings.
Non-Venomous: Harmless

 

*Boaedon capensis aka Brown House Snake
Non-Venomous

Brown House Snake
Brown Water Snake

(Lycodonomorphus rufulus)

Afrikaans: Bruinwaterslang
Size: Average Length 60-80cm
Colour: Uniform olive to brown with pink to white sides and belly.
Habitat: Moist habitat near rivers from arid regions, forests, mountains & coastal regions.
Non-Venomous: Harmless

*Lycodonomorphus rufulus aka Brown Water Snake
Non-Venomous

Brown Water Snake
Common Slug-eater

(Duberria lutrix)

Afrikaans: Gewone Slakvreter, Tabakrollertjie
Size: Average Length 30cm-40cm
Colour: Dark band above with lighter sides and belly tends to have speckles.
Habitat: Any suitable damp habitat
Non-Venomous: Harmless

*Duberria lutrix aka Sommon Slug-eater
Non-Venomous 

Common Slug Eater
Rhombic Egg-Eater

(Dasypeltis scabra)

Afrikaans: Gevlekte eiervreter
Size: Average Length 50cm-70cm
Colour: Grey, brown to red brown with diamond shape markings & V-Shape marking on neck.
Habitat: All types of habitat except desert & forest.
Non-Venomous: Harmless

*Dasypeltis scabra aka Rhombic Egg-eater
Non-Venomous

Rhombic Egg Eater