A snake in the grass

We saw more snakes this year than on any previous trip, this Yellow Bellied Sand Snake was spotted by out ranger on an early morning bush walk from tena Tena.

A fast-moving, slender snake that averages 70 cm – 1 m. This snake is active during the day and is without doubt one of the fastest snakes (though early in the morning this example was totally stationary. It is fond of basking but will move off rapidly and if there is a shrub or tree close by it may climb to avoid detection. Like some of the other snakes in the genus Psammophis, it will spin if caught by the tail and snap a piece off.

Sand snakes, Grass snakes and Skaapstekers can be very difficult to distinguish from one another – always check the distribution when attempting to identify one of these snakes.

The Western Yellow-bellied Sand snake feeds on lizards, frogs, rodents, small birds and other snakes.

The venom of this snake is very mild and has no real effect on humans.