Twig snake

Introduction: Twig snakes are very thin, twig-coloured snakes that live in trees, hence the name. They have characteristic lance-shaped heads with large eyes and 'keyhole-shaped' pupils. They have large back fangs and an unusually long tail. They are active in the day mainly because they have to rely on identifying prey by colour, which they have to ambush. Only 1 subspecies is found in Namibia.

This subspecies of the twig or vine snake (Thelotornis capensis oatesii) is characteristically thin. Their colouration combined with their shape affords magnificent camouflage. They have stereoscope vision due to the shape of their pupil as well loreal grooves. They ambush their prey, striking them from above and then hanging upside down to swallow after poisoning their victim. Symptoms of a bite are similar to that of a boomslang. Victims can expect to experience a 24 to 48hr period before any symptoms surface. Fatalities are known but rare.

Distribution: Northern Namibia including Etosha National Park.

Diet: Frogs, lizards, small birds and at times other snakes.

Colouring: The body is a grey-brown 'twiggy' colour decorated with black and pink flecks and diagonal pale blotches. The top of the head is green and the belly is pink-grey with dark blotches.

Breeding: Females lay between 4 to 18 elongated eggs between December to January and hatch in March, with a maximum of 2 clutches per breeding season. Males will fight other males in the mating season.

Size: Max SVL male 1.1m, female 975mm.