Chad Keates 
Whether you call them whip snakes, grass snakes or sand snakes, what these snakes all have in common is that they are slender, gorgeous and lightning quick. This post is dedicated to all the snakes from the sub-family Psammophiinae, that are found in the Eastern Cape. This group is large and incredibly diverse, with members of this sub-family being found from the tip of South Africa, all the way to India.
While many of these snakes are hard to differentiate given of their similar morphology, lucky for us, there are only five snakes from this sub-family in the Eastern Cape. Two genera of this group are found in the province, four from Psammophis (whip/sand/grass snake) and one from Psammophylax (skaapsteker or grass snake). The fork-marked whip snake (Psammophis trinasalis) is the only snake not listed below, as it is only found in a very small region at the top of the Eastern Cape. All the snakes listed below are mildly venomous, but their venom is of no concern to humans.
Spotted Skaapsteker (Psammophylax rhombeatus)
Size: 45-85cm.
Habits: A fast-moving, diurnal species which can be found in a large range of habitats, mainly under rocks and fallen debris.
Diet: Mainly rodents, but also eats lizards, birds, frogs and other snakes.
Danger to man: Mildly venomous species which may cause localized swelling, but the venom is not capable of killing or even hospitalizing humans.
Similar species: Easily confused with the other species of grass and whip snake found in the Eastern Cape.
Cross-marked Whip Snake (Psammophis crucifer)
Size: 40-60cm.
Habits: A slender, fast-moving snake that can often be found basking atop grass tufts during the day. When not actively moving, this snake can be found beneath rocks, logs, tufts of grass and inside derelict termite mounds.
Diet: Lizards, geckos and frogs.
Danger to man: Mildly venomous, but the venom is of no concern to humans.
Similar species: Easily confused with the other species of grass and whip snake found in the Eastern Cape.
Karoo Whip Snake (Psammophis notostictus)
Size: 90cm.
Habits: A slender, fast-moving snake that can seen chasing after lizards during the day. When not actively moving, this snake can be found beneath rocks and inside derelict termite mounds.
Diet: Mainly lizards, but has been known to take small rodents.
Danger to man: Mildly venomous, but the venom is of no concern to humans.
Similar species: Easily confused with the other species of grass and whip snake found in the Eastern Cape.
Short-snouted Whip Snake (Psammophis brevirostris)
Size: 60cm.
Habits: A slender, fast-moving snake that can often be found basking atop grass tufts during the day. When not actively moving, this snake can be found beneath rocks, logs and tufts of grass.
Diet: Rodents, snakes and other small vertebrates.
Danger to man: Mildly venomous, but the venom is of no concern to humans.
Similar species: Easily confused with the other species of grass and whip snake found in the Eastern Cape.
At midday on the 1st of August I travelled to Pumba Private Game Reserve, about 20km from Grahamstown, and presented a talk on the ‘Frogs and Lizards of Albany’ for Rangers working at the reserve. The talk started with a short summary of both reptiles and frogs, and was followed by tips on how to identify the frogs, lizards and tortoises found in the area. The talk was well received and at the end I played the calls of all the frogs found in the area, something that all the rangers really enjoyed to hear. Thanks goes to Pumba Private Game Reserve for inviting me along for an awesome talk and thanks go to Neale Howarth for photographing the event.
from Haenertsberg, Limpopo, South Africa
from Magaliesberg, Gauteng, South Africa
from Magaliesberg, Gauteng, South Africa
from Magaliesberg, Gauteng, South Africa
from Magaliesberg, Gauteng, South Africa
On the 31st of July I travelled to Sibuya Game Reserve, about 10km from Kenton-on-Sea, and presented two herpetological talks for rangers working at the reserve. The first talk focussed on the ‘Snakes of Albany’ and the second talk focussed on the ‘Frogs and Lizards of Albany’. Both talks were well received with almost all the rangers taking the opportunity to handle the non-venomous snakes on display. Thanks goes to Sibuya Private Game Reserve for inviting me along for the talks and thanks go to all the rangers who photographed the event.
from Baineskloof Pass, Western Cape, South Africa
from Baineskloof Pass, Western Cape, South Africa
from Baineskloof Pass, Western Cape, South Africa
from Franschoek, Western Cape, South Africa
from Franschoek, Western Cape, South Africa
from Franschoek, Western Cape, South Africa
On Tuesday the 12th of June, myself and Dr Shelley Edwards presented a snake demonstration for members of the Kingswood College Environmental Club. The demonstration was well received and after a short introduction, most students took the opportunity to handle the snakes on display. It was a great time spent with some enthusiastic students, and I look forward to my next talk at the school.
At midday on the 4th of July I travelled to Pumba Private Game Reserve, about 20km from Grahamstown, and presented a talk on the ‘Snakes of Albany’ for Rangers working at the reserve. The talk started with a short summary of reptiles, and was followed by basic snake identification and snakebite treatment. The talk was well received and at the end, the Rangers took the opportunity to hold some of the non-venomous snakes on display. Thanks goes to Pumba Private Game Reserve for inviting me along for an awesome talk and thanks go to Neale Howarth for photographing the event.
from Pafuri, Kruger National Park, Limpopo, South Africa
from Pafuri, Kruger National Park, Limpopo, South Africa
from Pafuri, Kruger National Park, Limpopo, South Africa
from Tshipise, Limpopo, South Africa
from Ndumo, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
from Ndumo, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
from Ndumo, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
from Midlands, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
from Midlands, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
from Tshipise, Limpopo, South Africa
from Tshipise, Limpopo, South Africa
from Tshipise, Limpopo, South Africa
from Barberton, Mpumalanga, South Africa
from Barberton, Mpumalanga, South Africa
from Vilanculos, Mozambique
from Mpumalanga, South Africa
from Khakea/Bray Transboundary Aquifer Region, North-West, South Africa
On Saturday the 2nd of June I did a snake awareness talk for the Friends of Waters Meeting Nature Reserve at Ploughman Pub in Bathurst. The talk was well attended and furthermore, was exceptionally well received by the citizens of Bathurst. With an audience ranging in age from pre-schoolers to pensioners, it was challenging but incredibly enjoyable. I spoke about different scorpions, the snakes of Albany, snake myths and lastly, snakebite and it’s treatment. All in all it was a great day, and with such an enthusiastic audience, I look forward to my next talk in Bathurst.
In March of this year, I played my final game of the season for Manley Flats Cricket Club. The teams consisted of a mix-match of both first team and second team players and was great fun for all involved. Although I spend much of my time buried in the world of herpetology, I do take breaks every now and then to do the other things that give me joy. One of those things being playing cricket for Manley Flats.
Following the game, I did an impromptu snake demonstration for the players and families of Manley Flats. While the snakes were not so well received by some of the players, they were a hit with the kids, who had a great time handling the harmless snakes that I had on hand. In addition to being an amazing place to play cricket, Manley Flats is an amazing place to find snakes, because it resides just 10km from Grahamstown, in the middle of some of the most beautiful thicket in South Africa.
In march of this year I was asked to do a snake demonstration for students of Graeme the demonstration took place in the hostel, after hours, and the audience consisted of both primary and high-school kids. While some of the guys had seen and handled snakes in the past, many had not, making it a very special occasion for some of the guys. All in all, it was great evening filled with lots of laughs and even more questions. Thanks to all the students for their enthusiasm and their willingness to learn, and to the staff members responsible for organising the event.
Chad Keates 