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the web of life in southern Africa

Hemirhagerrhis viperinus (Viperine bark snake)

Westelike basslang [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

Identification

Distribution and habitat

Food

Eats lizards (particularly day geckos).

Predators, parasites and disease

Eaten by other snakes.

Reproduction

Likely to be oviparous (egg-laying).

Longevity

Has been known to live for between 10 and 15 years.

Medical importance

Has a mild venom that has almost 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.