The spotted rock snake is a widespread species, occurring from southern Namibia along the western escarpment into the Cape and karoo. It extends east along the Cape Fold Mountains and into the Drakensberg Mountains, spreading into the Mpumalanga Drakensberg and up into the Soutpansberg and Waterberg of Limpopo.
With the onset of the first summer rains, the lowveld is buzzing with activity. The plants are bursting into leaf and flower, birds are building nests and frog choruses are deafening around watering holes, dams and ponds. The emergence of termite alates (flying ants) often causes a variety of animals to go on a feeding spree.
The western yellow-bellied sand snake is one of the most commonly encountered snakes around houses and lodges in the lowveld. They are agile snakes that often hunt skinks and other lizards in gardens. They will also eat frogs, rodents, small birds and other small snakes.
This bulky, slow-moving snake is a fossorial species, spending most of its time underground, beneath logs and rocks or in thick leaf-litter. In warm, moist conditions following decent rains, these snakes may be commonly seen moving on the surface. They are often found moving at night in these conditions or early mornings on overcast days.
One of the largest blind snakes in Africa, this species can reach a length of 90 cm, although they are usually between 30 – 50 cm in length. It is a strange looking snake with a rounded tail and short stubby head, with a prominent rostral shield that forms a beak.
The brown house snake is one of the most widespread and common snakes across southern Arica. They have adapted well to urbanisation, taking advantage of the abundance of skinks, geckos and rodents that utilise human dwellings. They are nocturnal and although very common, can be quite cryptic, and may remain undetected around a house for a number of years.
The common file snake is widespread throughout the warm eastern parts of southern Africa. It is a robust snake with
There are four species of centipede-eating snakes in southern Africa. These are small snakes, usually under 30 cm in length. They live under logs, rocks, or leaf litter, especially in soft sandy areas and may also be seen on the move at night, especially after rain.
The berg adder – Bitis atropos – is a smallish adder, averaging 30 – 40 cm but reaching a maximum length of 60 cm. It is usually grey to brown with darker paired semicircle or triangle patterns along the back.
The southern vine snake or twig snake is a widespread snake throughout the warm eastern parts of southern Africa. It is a slender snake and very cryptically coloured in ash grey or grey-brown with lighter patches and dark markings across the body.
