African Reptiles & Venom

The Mole Snake (Pseudaspis cana)

Mike Perry — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 08:59:44 +0000

The Mole Snake (Pseudaspis cana) is one of Southern Africa’s most formidable, non-venomous constrictors. The impressive size, thickset body, various color forms, and distinct adaptations make it an interesting species.

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Fisk’s House Snake (Lamprophis fiskii)

Mike Perry — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 10:01:31 +0000

The Elusive Jewel of the Karoo. Among Southern Africa’s fossorial and nocturnal reptiles, few evoke as much intrigue among herpetologists as Fisk’s House Snake (Lamprophis fiskii). First described by George Albert Boulenger in 1887 from specimens collected near Touws River and Matjiesfontein, this striking species remains one of the rarest, most secretive, and least understood members of the family Lamprophiidae.

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Snake Keeping: A Beginner’s Guide

Mike Perry — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 05:02:48 +0000

Snake Keeping for Beginners Short Term or Long Term Snake Keeping Guide Keeping Snakes: A Beginner’s Guide to Responsible Reptile KeepingSnakes are some of the most fascinating, misunderstood creatures on the planet. For the right person, keeping a snake as a pet is an incredibly rewarding experience. They are quiet, clean, don’t suffer from separation [...]

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The Hidden Value of the Brown House Snake

Mike Perry — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 17:19:12 +0000

The Hidden Value of the Brown House Snake Brown House Snake from near Britstown, Northern Cape - by Marius Burger no rights reserved CC0 If you find a light brown or dark brown snake in your yard, near your chickens, or inside your house, your first thought might be to kill it. Many people fear [...]

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Snake Handling Equipment: The Tech, the Gear, and What Actually Works in the Field

Mike Perry — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 13:41:37 +0000

Snake Handling Equipment: The Tech, the Gear, and What Actually Works in the Field When you're dealing with some of the world’s most medically significant venomous snakes, hope is not a strategy. Whether you're an eco-estate manager in KwaZulu-Natal, a site safety officer in Limpopo, or a professional relocator, field safety depends entirely on two [...]

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Exotic Snakes in South Africa

Mike Perry — Wed, 27 May 2026 08:12:56 +0000

Exotic Snakes in South Africa Alien Arrivals: Confirmed Records of Exotic Snakes in Southern AfricaWhile South Africa boasts a world-renowned diversity of indigenous snakes, our suburban landscapes occasionally play host to escaped pet snakes or "stowaways" from distant lands. Distinguishing between isolated escapes and truly established populations is crucial for accurate biodiversity monitoring.According to reports [...]

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Winter Survival: Why South African Snakes Don’t Hibernate

Mike Perry — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 06:26:35 +0000

Winter Survival: Why South African Snakes Don’t Hibernate If you’ve noticed a sharp decline in snake sightings over the winter months, you might assume they’ve disappeared into a deep, months-long sleep. However, the term "hibernation"—while technically accurate for some mammals—is a misnomer when it comes to South African snakes.Because our winters are relatively mild compared [...]

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Management & Information of Snakebite Syndromes

Mike Perry — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 05:38:53 +0000

Snakebite Syndromes and Syndrome Management in South African Snakebites SYNDROME INDEX Progressive Weakness Syndrome (Neurotoxic Envenomation) Bleeding Syndrome (Haemotoxic Envenomation) Painful Progressive Swelling Syndrome (Cytotoxic Envenomation) * Notes on Complex and Unexpected Snakebite Syndromes Progressive Weakness Syndrome Neurotoxic Envenomation Overview and CauseThe Progressive Weakness Syndrome is a critical, life-threatening manifestation of [...]

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Dangerous Snakes of the Free State Province

Mike Perry — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:37:07 +0000

Cape Cobra from Bainsvlei © Jade Hastings, some rights reserved (CC BY NC) Dangerous Snakes of the Free State The Medically Significant Snakes of the Free State Province, South Africa The Free State is dominated by high-altitude grasslands and semi-arid Karoo scrubland. While it lacks the "Big Five" of the snake world found in the [...]

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Dangerous Snakes of the Mpumalanga Province

Mike Perry — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 15:22:02 +0000

Dangerous Snakes of the Mpumalanga Province The Medically Significant Snakes of the Mpumalanga Province: A Factual Guide The Mpumalanga Province has a number of veld types (field-types) suitable for a range of dangerous snakes. including the cool Highveld grasslands in the south and west of the province to the mountainous escarpment further east, and then [...]

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