Rufous beaked snake

Introduction: Beaked snakes belong to the subfamily Rhamphiophis, dwarf beaked snakes to the subfamily Dipsina. Beaked snakes are large, sturdy looking reptiles with a shortened skull and a hooked snout. They live on the ground and enter rodent burrows for food.

The Rufous Beaked snake (Rhamphiophis rostratus) usually shelter in animal burrows and termite mounds. This species prefer a sandy thornveld or bushveld habitat. They are not the quickest of movers and are active in the day, hissing and striking if captured, but rarely biting.

Distribution: Caprivi Strip including Mudumu National Park, Nkasa Rupara National Park and the northern regions of Chobe National Park.

Diet: Small vertebrates including other snakes.

Colouring: The back is yellowish-brown to red-brown with pale-centred scales. A dark stripe is on both sides of the head and the belly is cream to yellow.

Breeding: Females lay between 8 and 20 large, cylindrical eggs, usually over a number of days.

Size: Max SVL male 1.1m, female 1.1m.