Snakes
Kruger Park Reptiles

There are 54 species of snakes found in Kruger Park, only nine of which are deadly poisonous. Although the black mamba is often portrayed as the most dangerous snake in Africa, 90% of bites to humans are actually by the Mozambique spitting cobra and the puff adder.The largest African snake - the python - is fairly common, but difficult to see. It can grow up to five metres in length and kills its prey by wrapping its body around the victim and crushing it. It's very rare to come across snakes in Kruger, even during the guided wilderness walks.

Snakes tend to shy away from humans and only attack if they're caught by surprise. Nonetheless, one should be cautious at camps and lookout points. If you come across a snake in a camp, please alert the camp staff immediately.

The Killer Snakes of Kruger

African Rock Python (Python sebae)

Characteristics

Largest snake in Africa - up to 5m long; crushes its prey to death; generally nocturnal but seen during the day

Prey

Dassies, hares, cane rats, birds; has been known to take impala and young antelope and warthogs

Habitat

Mixed woodlands near water; very good tree climbers

Egyptian Cobra (Naja haje)

Characteristics

Largest cobra, approx 1,5m long; when disturbed it rears up and displays a broad hood; very fast moving striker with toxic venom

Prey

Small mammals, birds and their eggs, frogs

Habitat

Mixed woodlands near water

Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis)

Characteristics

One of the most poisonous snakes in Africa; about 2m long; very fast strikers and can slither at speeds of up to 15km/h

Prey

Birds, rodents, dassies and other small animals

Habitat

Dry lowveld bush; lives in abandoned termite hills, animal holes and among rocks; loves basking in the sun

Puff Adder (Bitis arietans)

Characteristics

Responsible for more human bites than all other African snakes combined - most attacks are because it is trodden on; front fangs make venom delivery extremely effective; sluggish, fat snake about 1,5m long

Prey

Rodents, birds, other snakes; a puff adder has once been recorded killing a tortoise

Habitat

Very fond of lying in the sun; found in all Kruger habitats - one of the most widely distributed snakes in Africa

Mozambique Spitting Cobra (Naja mossambica peters)

Characteristics

One of the most poisonous snakes in Africa; rears up two-thirds of its body length when disturbed, displays hood and spits venom with amazing accuracy (they can spit venom into the eyes of an aggressor three metres away);average length approximately 1m

Prey

Birds' eggs, small mammals and reptiles

Habitat

Mixed savanna woodland; favours hollow trees and abandoned burrows near water

Twig Snake (Thelotornis capensis)

Characteristics

Slender, fast-moving tree snake about 1,3m long; can stay motionless for long periods of time; well camouflaged and very poisonous

Prey

Birds and their nestlings and eggs

Habitat

Mixed woodland near water

Boomslang (Dispholidus typus)

Characteristics

Highly venomous, greenish tree snake, about 1,5m long

Prey

Birds' eggs, small mammals and reptiles

Habitat

Thick woodlands near water

Other notable reptiles in Kruger are two species of monitor lizards (leguaans), the water and the rock monitors. The water leguaan can be up to two metres long and is found at permanent water sources in Kruger. It feeds mainly on fish, crabs, mussels, small animals and birds.

Rock monitors can be found quite far from water in rocky outcrops and crevices. They grow up to 1,5m and feed on small mammals, birds, eggs, other reptiles and insects.

Illustration: Chris Snaddon