Eastern tiger snake

Introduction: Although Eastern Tiger snakes (Telescopus semiannulatus) are mainly terrestrial snakes, they climb dead trees and into building such as old thatched huts. Although not the quickest of snakes they do not hesitate to strike out, although their venom is not harmful to humans. The name is derived from their overall colouration, as opposed to attacking tourist riding elephants in India.

Distribution: Eastern Namibia extending from Gobabis to Rundu, Tsumkwe and into western Botswana, the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve, Makgadikgadi Pan and the Kalahari Desert. A subspecies (Telescopus semiannulatus semiannulatus) exists in highveld regions of Namibia.

Diet: Bats, lizards, rodents and small roosting birds.

Colouring: The body is orange-pink with dark blotches, larger on the forebody then elsewhere. The head is uniform orange, with a dark nape band. The eyes are brown-orange. The belly is yellowish to orange-pink.

Breeding: Females lay between 6 and 20 elongated eggs in a moist leaf litter environment in summer. They will hatch after 10 weeks.

Size: Max SVL male 624mm, female 880mm.