Telescopus semiannulatus polystictus (Damara tiger snake)

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

Telescopus semiannulatus polystictus (Damara Tiger snake), Northern Cape, South Africa. [E.R. Le Roux ©, from SARCA Virtual Museum]	Telescopus semiannulatus polystictus (Damara Tiger snake), Northern Cape, South Africa. [E.R. Le Roux and G. Jaar ©, from SARCA Virtual Museum]

Identification

The Damara 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), an orange-pink colouration, between 52 and 75 dark blotches down the length of its body, its aggressive behavior when threatened and its strictly nocturnal lifestyle. This snake grows to an average length of  80 cm but can also reach up to 1 meter in length.

Distribution and habitat

Found in the following areas; the Namibian highveld and the Northern Cape Rictersveld. Its favoured habitats are karoo scrub and rocky areas of the Namib desert.

Food

Feeds mostly on lizards (particularly geckos) but also bats, fledgling birds and small rodents (e.g. mice).

Predators, parasites and disease

Fed on by other snakes.

Reproduction

Oviparous (egg laying), lays between 3 and 20 eggs in summer.

Longevity

Not known but likely to be an average of 10 years or more.

Medical importance

The venom of this snake is very weak and has little or no effect on man.

Links

References

• Broadley, D.G. 1983. FitzSimons' Snakes of Southern Africa. Delta Books, Johannesburg.

• Marais, J. 2004. A Complete Guide to Snakes of Southern Africa. Struik Publishing, Cape Town.