Short-snouted Grass Snake

The short-snouted grass snake, or short-snouted whip snake (Psammophis brevirostris), is a venomous but non-lethal colubrid snake. It reaches a length of 40-60 cm (1 ft 4 in to 1 ft 12 in) on average, but some specimens can reach more than 1 m (3 ft 3 in). It is typically sandy-brown on top with small white spots that form a line along the back. Flanks are often lighter in coloration, and often with bands. Some individuals have scattered black scales on the neck and chin. Underside can be white to yellow. There is often a pale to yellow scale just in front of the eyes.

Color and pattern can vary a lot between individuals, and not all follow this general description (such as the one I have photographed here). It can be confused with the olive grass snake (Psammophis mossambicus), which I did, until someone corrected me and identified the one in the photo as a short-snouted grass snake.

The short-snouted grass snake can be found in both arid and moist environments but is most often found in riparian habitats. It keeps mostly to the ground but will sometimes get to higher ground to bask in the sun. It is mostly active during the day. It will hunt and eat small mammals, lizards, frogs, and other snakes.

The short-snouted grass snake is venomous, but a bite is not dangerous to humans. It can cause local pain, swelling and sometimes nausea, but many feel no symptoms at all. People do react differently to bites, so seeking medical attention after a bite is sill advisable.

The female short-snouted grass snake will usually lay 4-15 eggs at the height of summer. It is likely to live to up to 10 years.

The short-snouted grass snake has a wide distribution on the eastern side of southern Africa. There are no threats do the species and it is listed as least concern on the IUCN Red List.