African Beaked Snake
Rhamphiophis oxyrhynchus
A fast-moving African colubrid with an upturned snout used for digging out rodent burrows.
- Adult length
- 1-1.5 m (3.3-5 ft)
- Range
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Overview
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.
How to identify it
- 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)
Habitat & range
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.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
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. Reproduction is oviparous, with clutches of several eggs.
Frequently asked questions
Why does it have an upturned snout?
The beaked snout helps it probe into rodent burrows to find prey.
Where is it found?
It occurs across savanna and dry habitats in sub-Saharan Africa.
How big does it get?
Adults typically reach 1-1.5 m (3.3-5 ft).
African Beaked Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding African Beaked Snake.
