Eastern bark snake

Introduction: Bark snakes are small tree livers with 2 curved fangs behind a set of 9 or 10 teeth. They are small, slender snakes with flattened heads. There are just the 2 species found in Namibia.

Eastern Bark or Mopane snakes (Hemirhagerrhis nototaenia) often shelter under loose bark in a savannah type habitat. This small, slender snake, does not bite.

Distribution: Zambezi Region (formerly the Caprivi Strip) through to Victoria Falls.

Diet: Day geckos, small skinks with the occasional small frog for afters. These snakes hang upside down from vegetation to eat their prey. Gecko eggs make great starters.

Colouring: The back is grey or grey-brown. A dark vertebral stripe, flanked by black spots forms zig-zags and crossbars along the back. The top of the head is black and the belly a dirty white.

Breeding: Females lay between 2 to 8 elongated eggs.

Size: Max SVL male 300mm, female 335mm.