Kalahari purple glossed snake

Introduction: As the name suggests, the Kalahari Purple-Glossed snake (Amblyodipsas ventrimaculata) is found on mainly sandy soils associated with the Kalahari Desert. It is a small snake, with smooth scale and a bluntish snout.

Distribution: From Windhoek and the Khomas Hochland Highlands north through the western areas of Etosha National Park and the central and northern Kalahari Desert extending eastwards through Tsumkwe into Botswana.

Diet: Burrowing reptiles, skinks and garter snakes.

Breeding: Females may lay around 3 eggs.

Colouring: The back has a broad purple-brown to black dorsal stripe with yellow tipped scales. The belly is white.

Size: Max SVL male 305mm, female 445mm.