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Mehelya nyassae (Black file snake, Nyasa file snake)
Swartvylslang [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: Mehelya
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Mehelya nyassae (Black file snake, Nyasa file snake),
Limpopo. [P. Webb ©, from
SARCA Virtual Museum] |
Mehelya nyassae (Black file snake, Nyasa file snake),
Mpumalanga. [M. Douglas ©, from
SARCA Virtual Museum] |
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Mehelya nyassae (Black file snake, Nyasa file snake),
Limpopo. [K. Abram ©, from
SARCA Virtual Museum] |
Identification
The Black file snake can be identified by its triangular
shaped body, a broad flat head, keeled (rough) scales, a uniform black colour and
a pink and white tongue. It grows to an average length of 50 cm but may reach 65
cm in length.
Distribution and habitat
The distribution of this snake is confined to Limpopo
province, Zimbabwe and eastern Botswana. Its preferred habitat is lowland forest
or moist savanna.
Food
Eats lizards (particularly skinks and lacertids) and
frogs.
Predators, parasites and disease
Eaten by other snakes.
Reproduction
Oviparous (egg-laying), lays between 2 and 6 eggs in
summer.
Longevity
The lifespan of this snake is likely to be between 15 and
20 years.
Medical importance
Non-venomous and not dangerous to humans but secretes a
foul-smelling liquid which causes a tingling sensation.
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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