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Psammophylax variabilis (Grey-bellied Grass snake)
Gryspensgrasslang [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:
Psammophinae > Genus:
Psammophylax
Identification
The Grey-bellied Grass snake can be identified by the 3
dark brown lines which run the length of its body, it rounded snout and its
white or grey upper lip. This snake reaches an average length of 90 cm but it
can reach up to 1 meter in length.
Distribution and habitat
This Grass snake species is restricted to the extreme North
East of the Caprivi Strip (on the border between Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and
Zambia). Its favoured habitats are floodplain and montane grasslands, where it is
often encountered under logs.
Food
Feeds on
rodents
(e.g.
rats and mice),
shrews, fledgling
birds,
lizards,
frogs
and small fish.
Predators, parasites and disease
Fed on by other snakes.
Reproduction
Viviparous (gives birth to live young), gives birth to
between 4 and 8 young in summer.
Longevity
This snake species average lifespan is likely to be 10
years or more.
Medical importance
The venom of this snake almost no effect on man and is not
dangerous.
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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