African Beaked Snake

The African Beaked Snake is a slender, fast colubrid found across the savannas and dry regions of sub-Saharan Africa. It is named for its distinctive upturned, pointed snout, which it uses to probe into burrows in search of prey.

It is rear-fanged and mildly venomous, with venom adapted primarily for subduing small vertebrate prey; bites to humans are uncommon and generally not considered medically significant, though caution around any rear-fanged snake is warranted.

• Slender, elongated body with a distinctly upturned, pointed snout
• Coloration typically tan, olive, or grayish-brown with faint darker markings
• Large eyes with round pupils
• Smooth scales and a long, whip-like tail
• Adult length typically 1-1.5 m (3.3-5 ft)

Inhabits savanna, dry grassland, and semi-arid scrub across sub-Saharan Africa, from West Africa through East Africa to parts of southern Africa. Often found near rodent burrows and termite mounds, which it uses as refuges and hunting grounds.

Diurnal and highly active, often seen moving rapidly across open ground. Uses its beaked snout to probe into rodent burrows in search of prey, feeding on small mammals, lizards, and occasionally other snakes. It is rear-fanged, using mild venom to help subdue prey. Reproduction is oviparous, with clutches of several eggs.