Most people are afraid of snakes and are right in doing so because a snake bite can be fatal.
An interesting fact is that most species are harmless.
Educating yourself about snakes is therefore crucial to help you release some of the fear.
Green mamba. Photo: pixabay.comSource: UGC
Here is a guide on snakes of SouthAfricaidentification.
South Africa has a number ofdangerous snake species,but people rarely die from their bites.
These species have venom that is used for hunting and protection.
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Why is snake identification important?
Snake encountersare rare in South Africa, even in the wild.
In case you come across one, it will only bite if you are very close to it.
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How do I tell what kind of snake I have?
There are certain factors you better understand when it comes to snake identification.
A Green Mamba with round pupils. Photo: pixabaySource: UGC
Here are the top 6aspects to consider.
These aspects have nothing to do with the snake being venomous or non.
Snake distribution
Different locations are dominated by different species.
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Some species will also appear at certain times during the day.
Scales
The scales, especially on the head, are also helpful in narrowing down many possible options.
Some species have smooth scales, while others are keeled.
Black mamba is the longest venomous species in Africa and is common in KwaZulu-Natal. Photo: WelsZASource: Twitter
Different species have varying scale counts and patterns.
You should take a picture of the snake that has bitten you if it is safe to do so.
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3.
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Color and patterns
Different species have varying colours and markings.
Length and width
A snakes length and thickness are hard aspects to estimate.
you could make estimates using surrounding objects.
Cape Cobra is common in Cape provinces. Photo: Ngcebo_YNWASource: Twitter
Different species will also have different tail lengths and bulkiness.
The head could be elongated or short and round.
Other body aspects to consider are the masculinity and flatness of the body.
The Mozambique Spitting Cobra can accurately spit its venom into the eyes of someone who is 3 m away. Photo: ihavedomiinionSource: Twitter
Most species with slit-shaped pupils are venomous.
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6.
Behavior
A snakes behaviour is essential when trying to identify them.
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However, sometimes snakes exhibit similar behavioural traits when ambushed, thus confusing people.
What kind of snakes are in South Africa?
It is estimated that the Southern part of Africa has about 170 snake species and sub-species.
Snouted Cobra has both cytotoxic and neurotoxic venom. Photo: RuSomaweeraSource: UGC
Less than half of these species are dangerous.
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Black Mambas are common in KwaZulu-Natal and game parks.
A male Boomslang. Photo: roomthinkerSource: Twitter
Thegreen mambais also poisonous.
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2.
These species are prevalent in the Western Cape.
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They can also be encountered in the North West, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, and Free State.
Cape Cobras are easy to differentiate from other cobras because of their black tail tip.
Young ones have a black throat that fades with age.
Puff Adder in sand. Photo: GettyimagesSource: Getty Images
The species have varying colours that include different shades of yellow and brown.
Their poison is effectively treated with polyvalent antivenom.
They are common inDurban, KwaZulu-Natal, and a majority of the Eastern part of South Africa.
Red Lipped Snake, also called Herald. Photo: BoomslangSource: Twitter
You are likely to encounter them during the initial rains of summer.
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4.
You are likely to encounter them in grasslands, the savannah, and bushveld habitats.
Black Headed Centipede Eater. Photo: WycliffeSource: Twitter
Their bites are treated as a medical emergency because they have both cytotoxic and neurotoxic poisons.
They also have varying colours, including different shades of black, brown, and yellow.
Common Boomslang (Dispholidus typus) - Venomous
Common Boomslang lives on trees and only comes down to eat.
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They are among the few species whose males and females have different colours.
Males are mostly green, while females are predominantly olive, brown, or dull brown.
Boomslangs are naturally docile, and it is uncommon for them to bite people.
Harmless Brown House snake. Photo: pauls_41356Source: Twitter
They have a potent haemotoxic poison that can be treated with monovalent antivenom in the case of a bite.
They can camouflage as they wait for their prey.
They mostly stay in an ambush position for a number of weeks as they wait for prey to pass.
Common Slug Eater. Photo: SnakeRescueSource: Twitter
Puff Adders are characterized by a cytotoxic venom that is effectively treated by polyvalent antivenom.
Other types of adders or vipers include the berg adder, night adder, and Gaboon viper.
The species is found in all nine provinces of South Africa.
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They rarely bite humans, and their bites are medically insignificant.
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The harmless Rhombic Egg Eater. Photo: pauls_41356Source: Twitter
Southern African Python (Python natalensis) Non-venomous but can bite
This species is common in KwaZulu-Natal.
They can be identified by two distinct white lines that run down the side of their heads.
It feeds on rats, bats, birds, mice, and lizards.
The Mole Snake is an aggressive constrictor. Photo: SabzerAzohSource: Twitter
Many snake lovers keep it as a pet.
They are identified by their stocky body and tiny heads.
When scared, they release a musk that smells bad and rolls into tight spirals.
A harmless Spotted Bush Snake that is often mistaken for a green mamba or Boomslang. Photo: khenaizaSource: Twitter
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12.
Rhombic Egg Eater (Dasypeltis scabra) Non-venomous
Rhombic Egg Eaters can be found anywhere in the country.
They only eat bird eggs and can go without eating for months during the non-birding season.
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These species are defenceless.
When scared, they make a rasping sound by rapidly rubbing their scales together as they coil and uncoil.
They are prevalent in Mpumalanga, Free State, and the Western Cape.
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They have varying colours, including grey, black, salmon, orange, and reddish-brown.
Young ones have many patterns that fade as they age.
Mole snakes are aggressive constrictors when threatened.
Their bites may be big enough to require medical stitches.
They are skilled climbers and often move quickly when scared.
How can you tell a harmless snake?
There is no clear distinction between dangerous andharmless species.
There are many misconceptions when it comes to differentiating them.
Most harmless species have a single solid colour although the mambas have this characteristic and are dangerous.
Is there an app for identifying snakes?
There are several applications that can help you identify different species.
Snakes of South Africashould be understood by all because you never know when they will bite.
It is also crucial that you know how tohandle a snake bite.
However, in African culture, these creatures are associated with dark magic.
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