Short-snouted Grass Snake

The short-snouted grass snake or short-snouted whip snake (Psammophis brevirostris) is a slender, fast-moving snake of southern Africa. Most adults are around 40–60 cm long, but some exceed one metre and may reach about 1.2 m.

Colour and pattern are highly variable. The upper body is often sandy brown, olive or grey-brown, with pale spots or narrow lines along the back and lighter flanks. Some individuals have scattered dark scales on the neck and chin, while the underside ranges from white to yellowish. Scales around the eye are often pale or yellowish, including the scale immediately in front of the eye.

It can be confused with the olive grass snake (Psammophis mossambicus), which is generally larger and often shows a more uniform olive-brown appearance. The individual photographed on this page shows how difficult the distinction can be: I initially misidentified it as an olive grass snake before the identification was later corrected by experts.

The species occurs in grassland, savanna, scrub, semi-arid landscapes and riverine habitats. It is mainly terrestrial but may climb into low shrubs to bask or escape.

Lizards dominate the diet, especially skinks. A study published in 2006 found that P. brevirostris fed predominantly on skinks. Other snakes and small rodents are also recorded as prey but are taken less often.

Short-snouted grass snakes are active visual hunters by day, moving quickly through grass and low vegetation to locate and pursue small lizards.

The species is diurnal and usually solitary. It spends much of its active period moving through open ground and vegetation and may climb into low shrubs to bask or avoid danger.

When threatened, it normally attempts to escape rapidly. A restrained individual may bite, but flight is usually the first defence. Snakes grasped by the tail may twist violently, and part of the tail has been reported to break off during the escape attempt.

The species lays eggs. Females produce about four to fifteen eggs during summer and may lay more than one clutch in favourable conditions. The eggs are deposited in a sheltered site and receive no parental care. Lifespan is estimated at around 10 years.

The short-snouted grass snake is rear-fanged and mildly venomous. Its venom helps subdue small prey, but the species is not regarded as medically dangerous to people.

It should not be handled. Any bite from an unidentified snake, or a bite followed by worsening symptoms, should be assessed by medical professionals.

The short-snouted grass snake is classified as least concern on the IUCN Red List. It has a broad southern African distribution and occurs in several habitat types, including protected areas and modified landscapes.

The population is considered stable, and no major threat is known for the species as a whole. Local animals may nevertheless be killed through fear, harmed by road traffic or affected by habitat conversion.