SHORT-SNOUTED WHIP SNAKE/SNOUTED GRASS SNAKE
Psammophis brevirostris
Very simular to the Olive Whip Snake, but can be distinguished by the darker stripes down the back bone and the shorter snout. Dorsally it is usually olive brown with paler brown on either side. Below it is yellow to white. Often a line of black stripes on the sides, but not always.
Adults reach lengths up to 1.2 meters. This snake is arboreal as well as terrestrial. It is diurnal, very active and alert. This snake likes Grasslands, but can be found in the forestry biome in the east of South Africa or even in the desert scrubland in Namibia.
This snake is found in most of Kwa-Zulu Natal along the east coast, following inland north of Lesotho right up to the NW province and into Botswana and Namibia.
This snake relies on camouflage and will lie still until spotted. It is a very fast snake that will make a dash for the nearest cover when disturbed. Will readily bite if caught. The venom of this snake is mild and will have no effects on humans. It does however have an effect
on its prey: Lizzards, rodents, birds and other snakes.
Scale count at midbody are in 17 rows with 146-167 ventral scales and 79-108 paired subcaudals. The anal shield is divided.
Louis van Niekerk
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