Kruger National Park Snakes
Help Me PlanSnakes in the Kruger National Park
Along with its awe-inspiring mammal population, keep your eyes on the ground and in the trees when you enjoy a safari in the Kruger National Park, and you may encounter its slithery, scaled inhabitants. Of the park’s 114 reptile species, 54 are snakes, ranging from harmless constrictors to highly venomous species that demand respect and basic safety awareness.
Python
The African rock python (Python sebae) is the largest snake on the continent, with significant specimens approaching or exceeding 6 m (20 ft). This non-venomous snake kills its prey by constricting its heavily muscled coils. Death is usually caused by cardiac arrest rather than asphyxiation or crushing. Though it typically targets large rodents and small mammals, python will often hunt animals of great size, like antelope or even crocodiles.
Mole Snake
The non-venomous mole snake (Pseudaspis cana) is part of the family Colubridae. It is native to much of Southern Africa and is the only member of the genus Pseudaspis. The mole snake can grow to lengths of up to 2 m (6 ft 7 in). It has a characteristically small head and pointed snout with a firm, tubular body, with mature individuals varying in color from yellow to brown and grey.
Brown House Snake
The brown (or Cape) house snake (Boaedon capensis) is a non-venomous species of colubrid. These harmless snakes are usually dark brown on top, but the color varies greatly from almost black through brown to olive green. The stripes that stretch from the rostral scale through the eye to the back of the head are typically thick and bold. Females are larger, often reaching 120 cm, while males only reach 61–76 cm.
The highly venomous Black Mamba
This snake (Dendroaspis polylepis) has a near-mythical status on the continent, despite not being responsible for the most snake-related human deaths. It is not black either, typically gray or dark brown. Unlike other mambas, the black mamba is largely terrestrial. It is a pursuit predator that, over the right terrains, is one of the speediest snakes, capable of at least 11 km/h.
Boomslang
The boomslang (Dispholidus typus) is a large, venomous, arboreal snake in the family Colubridae. The average adult boomslang is 100–160 cm (3¼–5¼ feet) in total length, but some exceed 183 cm (6 feet). They have exceptionally large eyes with very good eyesight and characteristically egg-shaped heads. Coloration varies; males are light green with black or blue scale edges, while adult females may be brown.
Puff Adder
The puff adder (Bitis arietans) is responsible for the most snake-related human deaths in Africa. This is due to a combination of its behavior, its wide distribution, and its occurrence in areas with high population densities. The venomous viper has a rather beautiful pattern of dark brown and white chevrons along its body, a flat, slightly triangular head, a formidable set of fangs, and a stout “puffy” body.
Snouted Cobra
The snouted cobra, or banded Egyptian cobra (Naja annulifera), is a highly venomous, relatively large species of snake that averages between 1.2 and 1.8 meters (3.9 and 5.9 ft) in length, with large individuals reaching up to 2.5 m. Its coloration is mottled, with yellow, brown, and occasionally blue-black bands occurring across its extensive body. A bite from this snake, if left untreated, may cause respiratory failure and death.
Snouted Night Adder
The snouted night adder (Causus defilippii) is another venomous viper that occurs in the Kruger Park, though its bite is rarely fatal. The average total length is 20–35 cm (about 8–14 inches), rarely exceeding 50 cm (20 in). A series of crescent-shaped patterns run along the back of its body in shades of brown, pinkish brown, grey, and greenish grey.
Vine Snake
Also known as the twig or bird snake, the vine snake (Thelotornis) is among the few rear-fanged colubrids whose bite is highly venomous and potentially fatal. The snake is primarily arboreal, and its cryptic coloration and apparent ability to freeze or sway gently, like a twig on a tree, make it hard to spot.
Mozambique Spitting Cobra
The Mozambique spitting cobra (Naja mossambica) is a medium-sized snake that tends to be nervous and high-strung. When confronted at close quarters, it can rear up to as much as two-thirds of its length, spread its long, narrow hood, and "spit" in defense, usually from a reared-up position. The venom can be ejected at a distance of 2–3 meters (6½–10 feet). After the puff adder, it is considered one of the most dangerous snakes on the continent.
