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Xenocalamus transvaalensis (Transvaal quill-snouted
snake, Speckled quill-snouted snake)
Transvaalse spitsneusslang; Transvaalse skerpneusslang
[Afrikaans]
Life >
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Opisthokonta >
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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: Atractaspididae > Genus:
Xenocalamus
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Xenocalamus transvaalensis (Transvaal quill-snouted
snake), Kwa-Zulu-Natal, South Africa. [photo J. Harvey ©, from
SARCA
Virtual Museum] |
Identification
The Transvaal Quill-snouted snake can be identified by the
following features; a small quill-shaped head, small eyes and black and yellow
colouration that gives it a chequered appearance. It grows to an average length
of 40 cm and a maximum length of 47 cm.
Distribution and habitat
This snakes distribution is restricted to north east KwaZulu-Natal,
the South Africa / Mozambique border and Limpopo. Its favoured habitat is
alluvial sand in moist savanna and lowland forest.
Food
Eats burrowing skinks and worm lizards.
Predators, parasites and disease
Eaten by other snakes.
Reproduction
Oviparous (egg-laying), lays 2 eggs in summer.
Longevity
Medical importance
Although venomous is no threat 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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