SANParks.org Forums

Hi all

I am staying approx 30 km north of Pretoria on a plot in the Rooibosveld/savanna region and has now twice seen a snake that I am not able to identify. The snake is approximately 1.7-2m in length and about 7+ cm thick from about 30 cm from the head to about 30-40 cm's from the tail. The head is ovalish in shape (not angular like a python's) and is about the same thickness as the neck. The neck is about 5cm in thickness.

Distinguishing features are the neck area has a definite gloss to it and is very slight olive green to grey in colour - almost similar to a spitting cobra (which we see quite often around here...) but in their case it is the whole body that has that olive/brown tint. The rest of the body is slate to black in colour and has no sheen/gloss and seems to be almost rough in texture. The underside is whitish/ivory in colour.

I have no idea.... Any suggestions what I might search for to compare pictures to what I have here?

Thank you

Molesnake? The colours vary considerably, and they grow to that size.

I photographed a beautiful snake on my property just before winter while it was busy digging a hole very close to my house. Length was in excess of 1.6 metres and thickness approximately 5cm. (The wire mesh is 50x50 mm for comparison). I stay in the Rooibosveld 30 kms north of Pretoria.

I saw it a couple of times but it eventually disappeared due to lots of movement around the house, dogs etc.

Can anybody help with a positive ID?

Thanx for the help to get pics on here ...

To post pictures you need to host them on another site and then link them form there.

Here is instructions to do it through Tinypick

Try to get a picture, it will be way easier

Hi Lourens

I’m no expert, but my guess is Snouted Cobra (previously known as Egyptian Cobra).

Very nice Snouted Cobra that is!!!

Thank you for the ID... I am just surprised at the size of the snake. We previously found Egyptian Cobras around here but they were much smaller and also grey in colour - OK as of now I am totally getting respect for the challenges of identifying snakes and therefore also doubting my presumption of the previous ones having been Snouted (Egyptian) Cobras. The variations are simply enormous.

The Snouted Cobra is one of the largest cobras in Africa…average size 1.8m (but can get up to 2.5m)
There are quite a few colour variations (including dark brown and blue-black) so those you have seen might have also been Snouted Cobras.
I have only once seen a Snouted Cobra…it was in Kruger and it was the “banded phase”…amazing snake!

Jumbo, very lucky to have seen that banded phase Having a passion for snakes, I go looking for them.....I'v seen numerous species of snakes, and many Snouties, but one thing I have always wanted to photograph, is a Banded Pghase specimen!!! Im very jealous!!

LourensJB those are quite incredible photos...... Beutiful snake that! If I am correct then I belive the snouted Cobra doesn't spit! Making it much less dangerous than a Mfezi....! I found a Mfezi on the weekend in a gorge near Mooi nooi ! Was suprized to find one that far west! Thought it was a Snouted Cobra but Bush Snake confirmed for me......

Close call.......

You wouldn't perhaps have Chickens on your plot hey? Know that the Cobras love chicken coups for unknown reasons..... perhaps after rats or something?

You are correct, also less aggressive ...

We came across three beautiful specimens during our September 2010 visit.

The first one about one kilometer from the main entrance to the Shingwedzi Rest camp, the second near Red Rocks on the S52 and the third one late afternoon near the S35 a monster, I know books give them as as max 1.5 meters but this was a real biggy much longer that the width of my IZUZU 3 litre DC, unfortunately it would not pose for a photograph.

Unfortunately the photographs are not action shots but they do give an indication of what we spotted

Hi

Gmlsmit, the snake on the photos is not a Mozambique Spitting Cobra. It is a Snouted cobra (Naja annulifera). On the last photo, the golden / copper yellow colour can be clearly seen.

These snakes were all well in excess of 1.8 metres in length.