Boulenger's Garter Snake
Elapsoidea boulengeri
A small, secretive African elapid related to the garter snakes group, with a plain body and burrowing habits.
- Venomous?
- Mildly venomous
- Adult length
- 0.4-0.6 m (1.3-2 ft)
- Range
- East and southeastern Africa
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Overview
Boulenger's garter snake is a small, fossorial elapid found in parts of East and southeastern Africa. It belongs to the Elapsoidea genus, commonly called African garter snakes, which despite the name are unrelated to the North American Thamnophis garter snakes.
Its secretive, burrowing lifestyle and mild venom mean encounters with humans are uncommon and rarely of concern.
How to identify it
- Smooth, glossy body, typically uniform brown, olive, or grey
- Sometimes faint pale banding present
- Small, rounded head not clearly distinct from the neck
- Round pupil
- Cylindrical, burrowing body shape
- Distinguished from true colubrid garter snakes by its elapid affinities and African range
Habitat & range
Found in savanna, grassland, and lightly wooded habitats in East and southeastern Africa, often in loose soil, under logs, or in leaf litter.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Fossorial and secretive, most active at night or after rain. Feeds mainly on other small reptiles and amphibians. Rarely bites and considered inoffensive; lays eggs in concealed underground sites.
Frequently asked questions
Is Boulenger's garter snake dangerous?
No, it is only mildly venomous and poses little risk to humans due to its secretive, burrowing habits.
Is it related to American garter snakes?
No, despite the shared common name, it belongs to the African elapid genus Elapsoidea, unrelated to Thamnophis.
Where is it found?
In savanna and grassland habitats of East and southeastern Africa.
What does it eat?
Small reptiles and amphibians.
Boulenger's Garter Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Boulenger's Garter Snake.
