Page 109 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

FIELD GUIDE  107

Harmless Snakes
Of the 120 snake species recorded in South Africa, only
eight are classed as highly venomous. Most of the others
are entirely harmless. Among the more common of these
benign slitherers, snakes of the genus Philothamnus are
generally bright green with large dark eyes, and are often
seen near water. The widespread rhombic egg-eater,
sometimes mistaken for a puff adder, can dislocate its
jaws to swallow an egg whole, regurgitating the crushed
shell in a neat package. Rhombic egg-eater, a non-venomous snake

African Rock Python Mamba Cobra
Species: Python sebae Genus: Dendroaspis spp Genus: Naja spp
NE NE NE
As Africa’s largest snake, this Mambas are fast-moving Cobras are long snakes –
python can reach lengths and widely feared snakes up to 3 m (10 ft) – whose
of 6 m (20 ft), and is very that generally attack only trade mark hoods open in
likely to be seen on safari. when cornered. The 4-m warning when they raise
It is non-venomous, (12-ft) black mamba, their head to strike or spit
wrapping its body around Africa’s largest venomous venom into the target’s eye.
its prey, swallowing snake, has a distinctive Bites are fatal, but spitting,
it whole and slumbering coffin-shaped head. The though it can result in
for weeks or months while green mamba is smaller and temporary blindness, causes
the digestive juices do shyer. Bites are rare but the little long-term damage if the
their work. venom is fatal. venom is diluted with water.

Boomslang Adder and Viper Monitor
Species: Dispholidus typus Family: Viperidae Family: Varanidae
NE Variable NE
As its Afrikaans name suggests, The puff adder’s notoriously Africa’s largest lizard, the
the boomslang (tree snake) is sluggish disposition means that Nile monitor can grow to be
almost exclusively arboreal. It is it is more frequently disturbed 3 m (10 ft) long, and is often
generally green in colour, but than any other venomous seen along river margins.
may also be brown or olive. snake – and is thus responsible The closely related savannah
Theoretically the most toxic of for more bites than other monitor is a little smaller in
African snakes, it is back-fanged species. Thickset and cryptic ally size. Both species feed on meat
and passive, and, except on marked, it is most com mon in and carrion and, though not
snake handlers, it has never rocky areas, but also occurs normally dangerous, can inflict
inflicted a fatal bite. in most bush habitats. a nasty bite if cornered.
Key to Field Guide icons see p72

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