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Dipsina multimaculata (Dwarf beaked snake)
Dwerghaakneusslang [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
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Dwarf beaked snake swallowing a Spotted barking
Gecko (Ptenopus garrulus maculatus), Libya. [photo M. Soroczynski
© from
SARCA Virtual Museum] |
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Dwarf beaked snake [photo A. van Wyk © from
SARCA Virtual Museum] |
Dwarf beaked snake, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. [photo Lorinda Steenkamp
©] |
Identification
The Dwarf beaked snake may be identified by its hooked
snout, large eyes, a threat display similar to the horned adder, a dull brown
colouration interspersed with dark blotches and v-shaped marking on the head. It
grows to an average length of35 cm but may reach 50 cm in length.
Distribution and habitat
This snake species distribution includes the Namibian coast
line, southern Namibia, the Northern Cape, Western Cape and parts of the Eastern
Cape an North West province. Its favoured habitat is the Namib desert but also
includes karoo scrub and arid savanna.
Food
Its diet consists almost exclusively of lizards.
Predators, parasites and disease
Eaten by other snakes,
birds of
prey (particularly
secretary birds and
snake eagles) and small carnivorous
mammals
(e.g.
mongooses).
Reproduction
Oviparous (egg-laying), lays between 2 and 4 eggs in
midsummer.
Longevity
The lifespan of this snake is likely to be between 10 and
15 years.
Medical importance
Has a mild venom that has almost no effect on man.
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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