OUDTSHOORN SNAKES & SURROUNDINGS
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
