SANParks.org Forums

Hi there

We saw this wonderful Snake in KTP just outside Twee Rivieren in November 2007.

Larger

It was really slender and quite fast moving.

I am pretty much convinced that it is a Kalahari Sand Snake (thanx Michele Nel for that) and not a Stripe-bellied Sand Snake as I thought in the beginning.
My Snake book tells me now that it is a Kalahari Whip Snake.
Is this just a different name for the same Snake: Kalahari (Sand) Whip Snake ? Only, like the birds names, an old and a new one ?
Which is the commonly used name?

Thanx for your help.

Katy

Hi Katy.
I am no expert, but the snake does indeed look like the Karoo sand snake, or also known as the whip snake(Psammophis notostictus).

Katy, your snake is indeed a Kalahari Sand Snake (Psammophis trinasalis)….which might have been called a Kalahari Whip Snake at some stage….dunno

The Karoo Whip Snake (Psammophis notostictus) does not have the yellow stripes on the head.

I agree with Jumbo . Collectively Psammophis species are referred to as Sand, Whip or Grass Snakes. Popular names passed on from generation to generation. Regards, Agama

here's some (unedited and therefore shaky) footage of what a very helpful forumite also identified as a Kalahari Sand Snake

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=8DY4E38F