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Psammophis crucifer (Crossed
whip snake, Crossed sand snake, Montane grass snake)
Kruismerksweepslang [Afrikaans]
Life >
Eukaryotes
>
Opisthokonta >
Metazoa
(animals) > Bilateria > Deuterostomia >
Chordata >
Craniata > Vertebrata (vertebrates) > Gnathostomata (jawed vertebrates) >
Teleostomi (teleost fish) > Osteichthyes (bony fish) > Class:
Sarcopterygii (lobe-finned fish) > Stegocephalia (terrestrial vertebrates) >
Tetrapoda
(four-legged vertebrates) > Reptiliomorpha > Amniota >
Reptilia (reptiles) >
Romeriida > Diapsida > Lepidosauromorpha > Lepidosauria >
Squamata > Serpentes
(snakes) > Family: Colubridae > Subfamily:
Psammophinae > Genus:
Psammophis
Identification
The Crossed whip snake be identified by its striped
patterning, large eyes and strictly diurnal lifestyle. It grows to an average
length of 60 cm and a maximum length of 82 cm.
Distribution and habitat
Found in South Africa's' coastal
provinces as well as Free State and Gauteng. Its favoured habitat is lowland
forest.
Food
Eats lizards (particularly geckos and skinks) and
frogs.
Predators, parasites and disease
Eaten by
birds of prey (particularly
secretary birds and
snake eagles)
and other snakes.
Reproduction
Oviparous (egg-laying), lays between 3 and 13 eggs in
summer.
Longevity
Likely to have an average lifespan of
10 years.
Medical importance
Although venomous is not dangerous to man.
Links
References
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Broadley, D.G. 1983. FitzSimons' Snakes of Southern
Africa. Delta Books, Johannesburg.
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Marais, J. 2004. A Complete Guide to Snakes of
Southern Africa. Struik Publishing, Cape Town.
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