Striped Skaapsteker

Psammophylax tritaeniatus

The Striped Skaapsteker is a diurnal snake that is found over much of northern and central South Africa, where it inhabits grassland and savanna and takes shelter in burrows, termite mounds or under rocks and logs. It uses its mild venom to subdue to its preferred prey – rodents, frogs and lizards – but the venom has virtually no effect on humans. These snakes are exceptionally quick but rather meek when handled. Females lay 5-18 eggs in summer. Fully grown they measure almost a metre in length.

The name Skaapsteker (Afrikaans meaning “Sheep Stinger”) is entirely undeserved as this snake’s venom is unlikely to have any effect on a sheep.