Dangerous Snakes Soutpansberg

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Dangerous Snakes Soutpansberg DANGEROUS SNAKES OF THE SOUTPANSBERG There are around 60 different types of snakes in the Soutpansberg. Six of them are capable of inflicting very painful bites VERY DANGEROUS and six are considered potentially deadly. DANGEROUS Has caused Painful bite, but does human fatalities not require antivenom VERY VERY VERY VERY DANGEROUS DANGEROUS DANGEROUS DANGEROUS Black Mamba Black Mamba Snouted Cobra Snouted Cobra - banded phase (Dendroaspis polylepis) (Dendroaspis polylepis) (Naja annulifera) (Naja annulifera) VERY VERY VERY DANGEROUS DANGEROUS DANGEROUS DANGEROUS Mozambique Spitting Cobra Mozambique Spitting Cobra Puff Adder Rhombic Night Adder (Naja mossambica) (Naja mossambica) (Bitis arietans arietans) (Causus rhombeatus) VERY VERY VERY DANGEROUS DANGEROUS DANGEROUS DANGEROUS Snouted Night Adder Common Boomslang - male Common Boomslang - female Common Boomslang - juvenile (Causus defilippii) (Dispholidus typus viridis) (Dispholidus typus viridis) Photo André Coetzer (Dispholidus typus viridis) VERY DANGEROUS DANGEROUS DANGEROUS DANGEROUS Southern Twig Snake Bibron’s Stiletto Snake Speckled Shield-nosed Cobra Horned Adder (Thelotornis capensis capensis) (Atractaspis bibronii) (Aspidelaps scutatus) (Bitis caudalis) © Johan Marais African Snakebite Institute Snakebite African © Johan Marais JOHAN MARAIS is the author of various books on reptiles including the best-seller A Complete Guide to Snakes of Southern Africa. He is a popular public speaker and offers a variety of courses including Snake Awareness, Scorpion Awareness EMERGENCY PROTOCOL and Venomous Snake Handling. Johan is accredited by the International Society of Zoological Sciences (ISZS) and is a IN THE EVENT OF A SNAKE BITE Field Guides Association of Southern Africa (FGASA) and DO NOT ww Travel Doctor-approved service provider. His courses are 1 Keep the victim calm, immobilized and ... apply a tourniquet. also accredited by the Health Professions Council of ... cut and suck the wound. transport the victim to the closest South Africa (HPCSA). ... use ice or very hot water. hospital without delay. ... give the victim alcohol. ... apply electric shock. 2 If the victim stops breathing, resort to ... inject antivenom randomly. artificial respiration or make use of a Antivenom (if required) must Johan Marais | African Snakebite Institute Bag Valve Mask. be administered by a doctor +27 82 494 2039 | [email protected] 3 Call the Poison Information Centre help- in a hospital environment. www.AFRICANSNAKEBITEINSTITUTE.com line for further advice: 0861 555 777..
Recommended publications
  • Nyika and Vwaza Reptiles & Amphibians Checklist
    LIST OF REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS OF NYIKA NATIONAL PARK AND VWAZA MARSH WILDLIFE RESERVE This checklist of all reptile and amphibian species recorded from the Nyika National Park and immediate surrounds (both in Malawi and Zambia) and from the Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve was compiled by Dr Donald Broadley of the Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, in November 2013. It is arranged in zoological order by scientific name; common names are given in brackets. The notes indicate where are the records are from. Endemic species (that is species only known from this area) are indicated by an E before the scientific name. Further details of names and the sources of the records are available on request from the Nyika Vwaza Trust Secretariat. REPTILES TORTOISES & TERRAPINS Family Pelomedusidae Pelusios rhodesianus (Variable Hinged Terrapin) Vwaza LIZARDS Family Agamidae Acanthocercus branchi (Branch's Tree Agama) Nyika Agama kirkii kirkii (Kirk's Rock Agama) Vwaza Agama armata (Eastern Spiny Agama) Nyika Family Chamaeleonidae Rhampholeon nchisiensis (Nchisi Pygmy Chameleon) Nyika Chamaeleo dilepis (Common Flap-necked Chameleon) Nyika(Nchenachena), Vwaza Trioceros goetzei nyikae (Nyika Whistling Chameleon) Nyika(Nchenachena) Trioceros incornutus (Ukinga Hornless Chameleon) Nyika Family Gekkonidae Lygodactylus angularis (Angle-throated Dwarf Gecko) Nyika Lygodactylus capensis (Cape Dwarf Gecko) Nyika(Nchenachena), Vwaza Hemidactylus mabouia (Tropical House Gecko) Nyika Family Scincidae Trachylepis varia (Variable Skink) Nyika,
    [Show full text]
  • Herpetological Bulletin
    The HERPETOLOGICAL BULLETIN Number 80 — Summer 2002 PUBLISHED BY THE BRITISH HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY THE HERPETOLOGICAL BULLETIN The Herpetological Bulletin is produced quarterly and publishes, in English, a range of articles concerned with herpetology. These include full-length papers of mostly a semi-technical nature, book reviews, letters from readers, society news, and other items of general herpetological interest. Emphasis is placed on natural history, conservation, captive breeding and husbandry, veterinary and behavioural aspects. Articles reporting the results of experimental research, descriptions of new taxa, or taxonomic revisions should be submitted to The Herpetological Journal (see inside back cover for Editor's address). ISSN 1473-0928 © The British Herpetological Society. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the permission of the Editor. Printed by Metloc Printers Limited, Old Station Road, Loughton, Essex. Information for contributors 1. Contributions should be submitted in hard copy form (2 copies of manuscript, double-spaced) AND on computer diskette in Windows format only. The Bulletin is typeset directly from the author's diskette, so wherever possible all manuscripts should be prepared using a word-processor. Please indicate word-processing software used, and if possible also include a text-only version of the file. The text should be arranged in the following order: Title; Name(s) of author(s); Address(es) of authors (please indicate corresponding author); Abstract (optional - if included should not exceed 10% of total word length); Text; Acknowledgements; References; Appendices. Footnotes should not be included. Refer to this issue for style and format information. 2. Slides and high resolution scanned images are the preferred form of illustration, although good quality prints are also acceptable.
    [Show full text]
  • Substrate Thermal Properties Influence Ventral Brightness Evolution In
    ARTICLE https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-020-01524-w OPEN Substrate thermal properties influence ventral brightness evolution in ectotherms ✉ Jonathan Goldenberg 1 , Liliana D’Alba 1, Karen Bisschop 2,3, Bram Vanthournout1 & Matthew D. Shawkey 1 1234567890():,; The thermal environment can affect the evolution of morpho-behavioral adaptations of ectotherms. Heat is transferred from substrates to organisms by conduction and reflected radiation. Because brightness influences the degree of heat absorption, substrates could affect the evolution of integumentary optical properties. Here, we show that vipers (Squa- mata:Viperidae) inhabiting hot, highly radiative and superficially conductive substrates have evolved bright ventra for efficient heat transfer. We analyzed the brightness of 4161 publicly available images from 126 species, and we found that substrate type, alongside latitude and body mass, strongly influences ventral brightness. Substrate type also significantly affects dorsal brightness, but this is associated with different selective forces: activity-pattern and altitude. Ancestral estimation analysis suggests that the ancestral ventral condition was likely moderately bright and, following divergence events, some species convergently increased their brightness. Vipers diversified during the Miocene and the enhancement of ventral brightness may have facilitated the exploitation of arid grounds. We provide evidence that integument brightness can impact the behavioral ecology of ectotherms. 1 Evolution and Optics of Nanostructures group, Department
    [Show full text]
  • Venomous Snakes of the Horn of Africa
    VENOMOUS SNAKES OF THE HORN OF AFRICA Venomous Snake Identification Burrowing Asps Boomslang, Vine and Tree Snakes Snakebite Prevention Behavior: Venomous snakes are found throughout the Horn of Africa. Assume that any snake you encounter is venomous. Leave Long, Flattened Head, Round Fixed Front Smooth Long, Cylindrical Behavior: Burrowing asps spend the majority of time underground in burrows under stones, concrete slabs, logs, snakes alone. Many people are bitten because they try to kill a snake or get a closer look at it. Slightly Distinct from Neck Pupils Fangs Scales Body, Thin Tail They are active during both the daytime and nighttime. or wooden planks. 5-8 feet in length They live in trees and feed on bats, birds, and lizards. They are active on the surface only during the nighttime hours or after heavy rains flood their burrows. They are not aggressive: will quickly flee to nearest tree or bush if surprised on ground. Snakebites occur most often: MAMBAS They feed on small reptiles and rodents found in holes or underground. They do not climb. When molested, they inflate their bodies or necks as threat posture before biting. After rainstorms that follow long, dry spells or after rains in desert areas. Dendroaspis spp. SAVANNA VINE They are not aggressive: bites usually occur at night when snakes are stepped on accidentally. SNAKE During the half-hour before total darkness and the first two hours after dark. Habitats: Trees next to caves, coastal bush and reeds, tropical forests, open savannas, Thelotornis Habitats: Burrows in sand or soft soil, semi-desert areas, woodlands, and savannas.
    [Show full text]
  • Reptiles & Amphibians
    AWF FOUR CORNERS TBNRM PROJECT : REVIEWS OF EXISTING BIODIVERSITY INFORMATION i Published for The African Wildlife Foundation's FOUR CORNERS TBNRM PROJECT by THE ZAMBEZI SOCIETY and THE BIODIVERSITY FOUNDATION FOR AFRICA 2004 PARTNERS IN BIODIVERSITY The Zambezi Society The Biodiversity Foundation for Africa P O Box HG774 P O Box FM730 Highlands Famona Harare Bulawayo Zimbabwe Zimbabwe Tel: +263 4 747002-5 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.biodiversityfoundation.org Website : www.zamsoc.org The Zambezi Society and The Biodiversity Foundation for Africa are working as partners within the African Wildlife Foundation's Four Corners TBNRM project. The Biodiversity Foundation for Africa is responsible for acquiring technical information on the biodiversity of the project area. The Zambezi Society will be interpreting this information into user-friendly formats for stakeholders in the Four Corners area, and then disseminating it to these stakeholders. THE BIODIVERSITY FOUNDATION FOR AFRICA (BFA is a non-profit making Trust, formed in Bulawayo in 1992 by a group of concerned scientists and environmentalists. Individual BFA members have expertise in biological groups including plants, vegetation, mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, insects, aquatic invertebrates and ecosystems. The major objective of the BFA is to undertake biological research into the biodiversity of sub-Saharan Africa, and to make the resulting information more accessible. Towards this end it provides technical, ecological and biosystematic expertise. THE ZAMBEZI SOCIETY was established in 1982. Its goals include the conservation of biological diversity and wilderness in the Zambezi Basin through the application of sustainable, scientifically sound natural resource management strategies.
    [Show full text]
  • Parasites of Domestic and Wild Animals in South Africa. XLVII. Ticks of Tortoises and Other Reptiles
    Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research, 73:215–227 (2006) Parasites of domestic and wild animals in South Africa. XLVII. Ticks of tortoises and other reptiles I.G. HORAK1, I.J. MCKAY2*, B.T. HENEN3, HELOISE HEYNE2, MARGARETHA D. HOFMEYR3 and A.L. DE VILLIERS4 ABSTRACT HORAK, I.G., MCKAY, I.J., HENEN, B.T., HEYNE, HELOISE, HOFMEYR, MARGARETHA D. & DE VIL LIERS, A.L. 2006. Parasites of domestic and wild animals in South Africa. XLVII. Ticks of tortoises and other reptiles. Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research, 73:215–227 A total of 586 reptiles, belonging to 35 species and five subspecies, were examined in surveys aimed at determining the species spectrum and geographic distribution of ticks that infest them. Of these rep- tiles 509 were tortoises, 28 monitor or other lizards, and 49 snakes. Nine ixodid tick species, of which seven belonged to the genus Amblyomma, and one argasid tick, Ornithodoros compactus were re- covered. Seven of the ten tick species are parasites of reptiles. Amongst these seven species Am bly- omma marmoreum was most prevalent and numerous on leopard tortoises, Geochelone pardalis; Amblyomma nuttalli was present only on Bell’s hinged tortoises, Kinixys belliana; and most Amblyomma sylvaticum were collected from angulate tortoises, Chersina angulata. Amblyomma exornatum (for- merly Aponomma exornatum) was only recovered from monitor lizards, Varanus spp.; most Ambly- omma latum (formerly Aponomma latum) were from snakes; and a single nymph of Amblyomma trans versale (formerly Aponomma transversale) was collected from a southern African python, Python natalensis. All 30 Namaqualand speckled padloper tortoises, Homopus signatus signatus, examined were infested with O.
    [Show full text]
  • Calibrating the Tree of Vipers Under the Fossilized Birth-Death Model Jiří Šmíd 1,2,3,4 & Krystal A
    www.nature.com/scientificreports OPEN Calibrating the tree of vipers under the fossilized birth-death model Jiří Šmíd 1,2,3,4 & Krystal A. Tolley 1,5 Scaling evolutionary trees to time is essential for understanding the origins of clades. Recently Received: 18 September 2018 developed methods allow including the entire fossil record known for the group of interest and Accepted: 15 February 2019 eliminated the need for specifying prior distributions for node ages. Here we apply the fossilized birth- Published: xx xx xxxx death (FBD) approach to reconstruct the diversifcation timeline of the viperines (subfamily Viperinae). Viperinae are an Old World snake subfamily comprising 102 species from 13 genera. The fossil record of vipers is fairly rich and well assignable to clades due to the unique vertebral and fang morphology. We use an unprecedented sampling of 83 modern species and 13 genetic markers in combination with 197 fossils representing 28 extinct taxa to reconstruct a time-calibrated phylogeny of the Viperinae. Our results suggest a late Eocene-early Oligocene origin with several diversifcation events following soon after the group’s establishment. The age estimates inferred with the FBD model correspond to those from previous studies that were based on node dating but FBD provides notably narrower credible intervals around the node ages. Viperines comprise two African and an Eurasian clade, but the ancestral origin of the subfamily is ambiguous. The most parsimonious scenarios require two transoceanic dispersals over the Tethys Sea during the Oligocene. Scaling phylogenetic trees to time is one of the major challenges in evolutionary biology. Reliable estimates for the age of evolutionary events are essential for addressing a wide array of questions, such as deciphering micro- and macroevolutionary processes, identifying drivers of biodiversity patterns, or understanding the origins of life1.
    [Show full text]
  • Amphibians & Reptiles
    Checklist of the Frogs and Reptiles of Nylsvley Nature Reserve, Limpopo Province Warren R. Schmidt 2021 √ Species: Vernacular / Common names: Conservation Status: FROGS FAMILY: PIPIDAE (Platannas) Xenopus laevis En: Common Platanna Least Concern (Daudin, 1802) Af: Gewone platanna Xenopus muelleri En: Müller’s Tropical Platanna Least Concern (Peters, 1844) Af: Geelpensplatanna FAMILY: BUFONIDAE (Toads) Poyntonophrynus fenoulheti En: Northern Pygmy Toad Least Concern (Hewitt & Methuen, 1913) Af: Noordelike dwergskurwepadda Schismaderma carens En: Red Toad Least Concern (A.Smith, 1848) Af: Rooiskurwepadda Sclerophrys garmani En: Eastern Olive Toad Least Concern (Meek, 1897) Af: Olyfskurwepadda Sclerophrys gutturalis En: Guttural Toad Least Concern (Power, 1927) Af: Gorrelskurwepadda Sclerophrys pusilla En: Flat-backed/Striped-back Toad Least Concern (Mertens, 1937) Af: Gestreepte skurwepadda FAMILY: MICROHYLIDAE – PHRYNOMERINAE (Rubber Frogs) Phrynomantis bifasciatus En: Banded Rubber Frog Least Concern (A.Smith, 1847) Af: Gebande rubberpadda FAMILY: HEMISOTIDAE (Shovel-nosed Frogs) Hemisus marmoratus En: Mottled Shovel-nosed Frog Least Concern (Peters, 1854) Af: Marmergraafneuspadda FAMILY: BREVICIPITIDAE (Rain Frogs) Breviceps adspersus En: Bushveld Rain Frog Least Concern Peters, 1882 Af: Bosveldreënpadda FAMILY: HYPEROLIIDAE (Reed Frogs & Kassinas) Hyperolius marmoratus taeniatus En: Painted Reed Frog Least Concern Peters, 1854 Af: Skilderbontrietpadda (Hyperolius viridiflavus) – Channing Kassina senegalensis En: Bubbling Kassina Least
    [Show full text]
  • Common Snakes of the Kruger National Park
    COMMON SNAKES OF THE KRUGER NATIONAL PARK VERY DANGEROUS MILDLY DANGEROUS VENOMOUS HARMLESS Has caused Painful bite, but does Not thought Not dangerous human fatalities not require antivenom to be harmful to humans VERY VERY VERY DANGEROUS DANGEROUS DANGEROUS DANGEROUS Black Mamba Mozambique Spitting Cobra Snouted Cobra Intermediate Shield-nose Cobra (Dendroaspis polylepis) (Naja mossambica) (Naja annulifera) (Aspidelaps scutatus intermedius) VERY DANGEROUS VERY DANGEROUS DANGEROUS DANGEROUS Common Boomslang - male Bibron’s Stiletto Snake Puff Adder Snouted Night Adder (Dispholidus typus viridis) (Atractaspis bibronii) Photo Warren Dick (Bitis arietans arietans) (Causus defilippii) VERY MILDLY CAN INFLICT DANGEROUS VENOMOUS A NASTY BITE HARMLESS Southern Twig Snake Marbled Tree Snake Southern African Python Brown House Snake (Thelotornis capensis capensis) (Dipsadoboa aulica) (Python natalensis) (Boaedon capensis) MILDLY HARMLESS MILDLY MILDLY VENOMOUS VENOMOUS VENOMOUS Herald or Red-lipped Snake Spotted Bush Snake Olive Grass Snake Western Yellow-bellied Sand Snake (Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia) (Philothamnus semivariegatus) (Psammophis mossambicus) (Psammophis subtaeniatus) MILDLY MILDLY MILDLY VENOMOUS HARMLESS VENOMOUS VENOMOUS Striped Skaapsteker Rhombic Egg-eater Rufous Beaked Snake Eastern Tiger Snake (Psammophylax tritaeniatus) (Dasypeltis scabra) (Rhamphiophis rostratus) (Telescopus semiannulatus) © Johan Marais African Snakebite Institute Snakebite African © Johan Marais JOHAN MARAIS is the author of various books on reptiles including the best-seller A Complete Guide to Snakes of Southern Africa. He is a popular public speaker and offers a variety of courses including Snake Johan Marais | African Snakebite Institute Awareness, Scorpion Awareness and Venomous Snake Handling. +27 82 494 2039 | [email protected] Johan is accredited by the International Society of Zoological Sciences (ISZS) and is a Field Guides Association of Southern Africa (FGASA) www.AFRICANSNAKEBITEINSTITUTE.com and Travel Doctor-approved service provider.
    [Show full text]
  • AFRICAN HERP NEWS Number 62 | June 2015
    NUMBER 62 JUNE 2015 AHN AFRICAN HERP NEWS Giant Legless Skinks Serrated Tent Tortoise Banded Caecilian Eastern Shield Cobra Agonistic Behaviour Winter Activity Behaviour Distribution Herpetological HAA Association of Africa www.africanherpetology.org FOUNDED 1965 The HAA is dedicated to the study and committee of the HAA CHAIRMAN conservation of African reptiles and P. Le F. N. Mouton, Department of Botany and amphibians. Membership is open to anyone Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag with an interest in the African herpetofauna. X01, Matieland 7602, South Africa. Members receive the Association’s journal, E-mail: [email protected] African Journal of Herpetology (which publishes SECRETARY Buyi Makhubo, Department of Herpetology, review papers, research articles, and short National Museum, P. O. Box 266, Bloemfontein communications – subject to peer review) 9300, South Africa. and African Herp News, the Newsletter (which E-mail: [email protected] includes short communications, natural history TREASURER Johan Marais, Suite 150, Postnet X4, Bedfordview notes, book reviews, bibliographies, husbandry 2007, South Africa. hints, announcements and news items). E-mail: [email protected] JOURNAL EDITOR NEWSLETTER John Measey, Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, EDITOR’S NOTE Port Elizabeth, South Africa, South Africa. Articles shall be considered for publication E-mail: [email protected] provided that they are original and have NEWSLETTER EDITOR not been published elsewhere. Articles will Gavin Masterson, School of Animal, Plant and be submitted for peer review at the Editor’s Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. discretion. Authors are requested to submit E-mail: [email protected] manuscripts by e-mail in MS Word ‘.doc’ or ADDITIONAL MEMBERS ‘.docx’ format.
    [Show full text]
  • Sites and Species of Conservation Interest for the CESVI Project Area
    SPECIES and SITES of CONSERVATION INTEREST for the CESVI PROJECT AREA, SOUTHERN ZIMBABWE edited by Rob Cunliffe October 2000 Occasional Publications in Biodiversity No. 7 SPECIES AND SITES OF CONSERVATION INTEREST FOR THE CESVI PROJECT AREA, SOUTHERN ZIMBABWE R. N. Cunliffe October 2000 Occasional Publications in Biodiversity No. 7 Biodiversity Foundation for Africa P.O. Box FM730, Famona, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe Species and Sites for Conservation in the Southern Lowveld i TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION .......................................................1 2. APPROACH ...........................................................1 3. SPECIES LISTS ........................................................2 3.1 Patterns of Diversity ...............................................2 4. SPECIES OF INTEREST .................................................3 5. SITES OF INTEREST....................................................3 6. FURTHER WORK REQUIRED............................................4 7. DISCUSSION ..........................................................4 7.1 Sites of Conservation Interest ........................................4 7.2 The Need for a Broader Overview.....................................5 8. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................5 9. REFERENCES .........................................................5 10. TABLES ..............................................................7 Table 1. Numbers of species of various taxa listed..............................7 Table 2. Numbers of species of
    [Show full text]
  • Table S3.1. Habitat Use of Sampled Snakes. Taxonomic Nomenclature
    Table S3.1. Habitat use of sampled snakes. Taxonomic nomenclature follows the current classification indexed in the Reptile Database ( http://www.reptile-database.org/ ). For some species, references may reflect outdated taxonomic status. Individual species are coded for habitat association according to Table 3.1. References for this table are listed below. Habitat use for species without a reference were inferred from sister taxa. Broad Habitat Specific Habit Species Association Association References Acanthophis antarcticus Semifossorial Terrestrial-Fossorial Cogger, 2014 Acanthophis laevis Semifossorial Terrestrial-Fossorial O'Shea, 1996 Acanthophis praelongus Semifossorial Terrestrial-Fossorial Cogger, 2014 Acanthophis pyrrhus Semifossorial Terrestrial-Fossorial Cogger, 2014 Acanthophis rugosus Semifossorial Terrestrial-Fossorial Cogger, 2014 Acanthophis wellsi Semifossorial Terrestrial-Fossorial Cogger, 2014 Achalinus meiguensis Semifossorial Subterranean-Debris Wang et al., 2009 Achalinus rufescens Semifossorial Subterranean-Debris Das, 2010 Acrantophis dumerili Terrestrial Terrestrial Andreone & Luiselli, 2000 Acrantophis madagascariensis Terrestrial Terrestrial Andreone & Luiselli, 2000 Acrochordus arafurae Aquatic-Mixed Intertidal Murphy, 2012 Acrochordus granulatus Aquatic-Mixed Intertidal Lang & Vogel, 2005 Acrochordus javanicus Aquatic-Mixed Intertidal Lang & Vogel, 2005 Acutotyphlops kunuaensis Fossorial Subterranean-Burrower Hedges et al., 2014 Acutotyphlops subocularis Fossorial Subterranean-Burrower Hedges et al., 2014
    [Show full text]