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Telescopus beetzii (Beetz's tiger snake, Namib tiger
snake)
Beetz se tierslang [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:
Colubrinae > Genus:
Telescopus
Identification
Beetz's Tiger snake can be identified by the following
features and behaviors; a head which is distinct from the rest of the body,
large eyes (with vertical pupils), between 30 and 39 dark blotches on the body,
between 12 and 20 blotches on the tail and a strictly nocturnal lifestyle (It is
often seen crossing roads at night). This snake has an average length of 60 cm
but has been known to grow to 68 cm in length.
Distribution and habitat
Found in the following areas; the
Northern part of the Western Cape, the Northern Cape and Southern Namibia. Its
favoured habitat the karoo (It is often found in rock crevices and termite
mounds).
Food
Feeds mostly on lizards (particularly geckos).
Predators, parasites and disease
Fed on by other snakes.
Reproduction
Oviparous (egg laying), lays between 3 and 5 eggs in
summer.
Longevity
Uncertain but possibly 10 years or more.
Medical importance
The venom of this snake is weak and unlikely to be harmful
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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