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Duberria variegata (Variegated slug-eater, Spotted slug-eater)
Gevlekte slakvreter [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:
Boodontinae > Genus:
Duberria
Identification
The Variegated slug-eater may be identified by 3 rows of
dark spots down its back, its habit of rolling into a spiral when threatened and
its preference for damp environments. It grows to an average length of 30 cm but
can reach 40 cm in length.
Distribution and habitat
Limited to the extreme North
East of KwaZulu-Natal. Its favoured habitat is lowland forest.
Food
Eats
slugs and
snails.
Predators, parasites and disease
Eaten by
birds of
prey (e.g.
snake eagles) and other snakes.
Reproduction
Viviparous (gives birth to live young), gives birth to
between 7 and 20 offspring in summer.
Longevity
Likely to have an average lifespan of
10 years.
Medical importance
Non-venomous and not dangerous to man and not likely to
bite.
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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