Snakes

Snakes

Puff Adder - "Bitis arietans"

<h5>Puff Adder - "Bitis arietans"</h5><p>This snake is thick, heavily built snake has a large, flattened, triangular head and large nostrils which point vertically upwards. This species is probably the most common and widespread snake in Africa. It is most often associated with rocky grasslands. Their prey includes mammals, birds, amphibians, and lizards. This species is responsible for more snakebite fatalities than any other African snake. The venom has cytotoxic effects and is one of the most toxic of any vipers. About 100 mg is thought to be enough to kill a healthy adult human male. </p>

Cape Cobra - "Naja nivea"

<h5>Cape Cobra - "Naja nivea"</h5><p>The Cape cobra is also known as the "geelslang" (yellow snake) and "bruinkapel" (brown cobra). It is most easily distinguished by it’s ability to spread a hood. This snake can grow up to 2 meters. This snake is highly venomous and possesses neurotoxic toxic venom. Medical help should be sought immediately if bitten. It feeds on rodents, birds, lizards,toads and other snakes. </p>

Cape Cobra - "Naja nivea"

<h5>Cape Cobra - "Naja nivea"</h5><p>The Cape cobra is also known as the "geelslang" (yellow snake) and "bruinkapel" (brown cobra). It is most easily distinguished by it’s ability to spread a hood. This snake can grow up to 2 meters. This snake is highly venomous and possesses neurotoxic toxic venom. Medical help should be sought immediately if bitten. It feeds on rodents, birds, lizards,toads and other snakes. </p>

Cape Cobra - "Naja nivea"

<h5>Cape Cobra - "Naja nivea"</h5><p>The Cape cobra is also known as the "geelslang" (yellow snake) and "bruinkapel" (brown cobra). It is most easily distinguished by it’s ability to spread a hood. This snake can grow up to 2 meters. This snake is highly venomous and possesses neurotoxic toxic venom. Medical help should be sought immediately if bitten. It feeds on rodents, birds, lizards,toads and other snakes. </p>

Boomslang - "Dispholidus typus"

<h5>Boomslang - "Dispholidus typus"</h5><p>The average adult boomslang is 100–160 cm in total length, but some exceed 183 cm. Their diet includes lizards, frogs, and occasionally small mammals, birds, and eggs from nesting birds. Males are light green with black or blue scale edges, but adult females can be brown. They have very large eyes which are round and have excellent eyesight. The boomslang is a notable exception in that it has a highly potent venom, which it delivers through large fangs located in the back of the jaw. The venom is hemotoxic which result of internal and external bleeding. it also causes hemorrhage into tissues such as muscle and brain. </p>

Herald or Red-lipped Snake - "Crotaphpeltis hotamboeia"

<h5>Herald or Red-lipped Snake - "Crotaphpeltis hotamboeia"</h5><p>This snake species can be identified by its olive green or grey body, multiple white speckles, its distinctive black head and red, yellow, white or black upper lip. It grows to an average length of 70 cm but may reach up to 1 meter in length. It feeds on amphibians, insects, lizards and other small creatures. This snake's venom has only minor effects and is not dangerous at all. No antivenom is required when bitten.. </p>

Spotted Harlequin - "Homoroselaps lacteus"

<h5>Spotted Harlequin - "Homoroselaps lacteus"</h5><p>These snakes average 30 – 40 cm with a maximum length of 65 cm. Two species can be found. "H lacteus" in the Western Cape and "H doralis" in the north. "H lacteus" is brightly coloured, small and slender with a rounded head. It is patterned in black and yellow with bright red dorsal stripe. "H doralis" has a yellow dorsal stripe. It feeds on legless skinks, blind snakes, other snakes and small lizards. Little is known of the venom of this snake and it is believed to be mildly cytotoxic, which causes pain and swelling. Antivenom is not required. No danger to man. </p>

Mole Snake - "Pseudaspis cana"

<h5>Mole Snake - "Pseudaspis cana"</h5><p>The mole snake is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. It is native to much of southern Africa. The mole snake can grow to lengths of up to 2 m. It has a small head and pointed snout. It also has a firm, tubular body. This snake is not venomous. The primary food source is golden moles , rodents, and other small mammals. </p>

Mole Snake - "Pseudaspis cana"

<h5>Mole Snake - "Pseudaspis cana"</h5><p>The mole snake is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. It is native to much of southern Africa. The mole snake can grow to lengths of up to 2 m. It has a small head and pointed snout. It also has a firm, tubular body. This snake is not venomous. The primary food source is golden moles , rodents, and other small mammals. </p>

Common or Rhombic Egg-eater - "Dasypeltis scabra"

<h5>Common or Rhombic Egg-eater - "Dasypeltis scabra" </h5><p>This snake can be identified by its rhombic (diamond shaped) markings, V-shaped markings on the neck, a black tongue, a black mouth and its strictly nocturnal lifestyle. This snake has an average length of 0.75 m but may reach just under 1.2 meters in length. It is distributed throughout Southern Africa. and feeds exclusively on birds eggs. It is non-venomous and not dangerous to man. </p>

Common or Rhombic Egg-eater - "Dasypeltis scabra"

<h5>Common or Rhombic Egg-eater - "Dasypeltis scabra" </h5><p>This snake can be identified by its rhombic (diamond shaped) markings, V-shaped markings on the neck, a black tongue, a black mouth and its strictly nocturnal lifestyle. This snake has an average length of 0.75 m but may reach just under 1.2 meters in length. It is distributed throughout Southern Africa. and feeds exclusively on birds eggs. It is non-venomous and not dangerous to man. </p>

Skaapsteker - "Psammophylax rhombeatus"

<h5>Skaapsteker - "Psammophylax rhombeatus"</h5><p>It has a small head with a pointed snout, small eyes (with round pupils). This snake usually measuring between 45 and 85 centimetres in length, and occasionally reaching 93 cm. It is a fast-moving snake and an active predator that feeds on rodents, frogs and lizards. Its common name, meaning 'sheep stinger', is misleading as its small teeth are set so far back in the jaw and its neurotoxic venom is so mild, that it is incapable of killing any large prey. </p>

Sweepslang or Cape sand snake - "Psammophis leightoni"

<h5>Sweepslang or Cape sand snake - "Psammophis leightoni"</h5><p>Also known as the Cape whip snake. This snake is a very active and fast moving. It can be can be identified by its slender body, large eyes and strictly diurnal lifestyle. It grows to an average length of 75 cm and a maximum length of 1 meter. This snake species is restricted to the Western Cape. Its favoured habitats are renosterveld and fynbos. It eats lizards, skinks, rodents and other small snakes. This snakes venom is not dangerous to man. </p>

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