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Yesterday I carried an armfull of wood from my "stockpile" to the braai, and after I lit the fire I noticed a little snake in the braai. I had obviously carried it from the wood pile to the braai. I quickly caught it with the braai tongs (sorry - no better equipment at hand ) and put it in an empty bucket. I ran up the road and released it in the veld. Obviously the intelligent thing to do would have been to take a photo, but I was in a bit of shock and just wanted to get the snake back where it belongs (ie. far away from my house )

I live in Durbanville (Cape Town) and our estate borders a farm. The snake was about 30cm long (no idea if it was fully grown) and had a pale green body and a black hood. I'm affraid that's all I got. I've looked on the internet, but can't find an answer. If anybody has an idea what it could be I would greatly appreciate it. Hopfully just a confirmation that it's a harmless snake, as I have a little girl and a couple of dogs who love playing in the back yard.

Thanks !
Jean

Hi Jean. You describe a juvenile Cape Cobra, Naja nivea. It is always difficult identify from a description alone, but the colour and black hood is a dead give-away. (I'll attempt to enclose a link to a photograph). Let us know whether this was what you saw. They may just be the most venomous of the African cobras. They have a potent neurotoxin. Rather do not stockpile your firewood in a way and place where you create a habitat and hunting-ground for snakes where your kids also play.Cape Cobra

Hi Agama,

Thanks for your reply. Thankfully I don't think it's a Cape Cobra. I just spent a couple of hours in the library, and I think I found the answer. Ever hear of a Herald snake ? Apparently a "very common garden snake in the Western Cape". Thankfully they are not very venomous. I'm sure there are more of them around, so next time I'll grab the camera and post a picture of my new garden pets.....

Thanks again for your input.

I'm glad with you!

A

Please can someone help with the ID of this snake seen in the South of Kruger in Feb this year.

Is that not a Black Mamba?? Just looking at the pale underbody and the head, although I can't really see the mouth, looks as if it could belong to the BM.

Yes, a young one, I'd say. Agama

Wow,
thanks for that Rosemary and Agama, never even crossed my mind that it could have been a Black Mamba.
Somehow thought they would be darker as was the huge adult one we saw a few years back.

when my sister went to pilansberg national park she was walking down to the braai when she felt something wet on her leg so she looked down and.........


lone behold it was a mozambiquin spitting cobra

thought you would like to know!!


batmad.

Did it spit on her leg?

yip!! so she had to run and wash it all off incase it got inton her blood stream.

On behalf of Magaff:



This snake was seen in the northwest of the areas of Southern Africa.

Thanks for posting DuQues.

I didn't see this snake myself but due to my snake fascination I'd love to know which snake it was my parents spotted.

All i can add it was spotted on the river bank of a major river in Bots on the outskirts of a famous park.

It was described as a long snake and the locals advised not to get close as it was a very dangerous snake. I have a snake book but closest i can get get is a Moz Spitting Cobra.

Doubt it helps but if any experts can hazard a gusss I'd be much obliged.

Ta

Need help identifying this snake

by the sheer size i would say python, but i stand corrected.