Striped Grass Snake or Skaapsteker

Length: 

75 cm average; 90 cm maximum

Description:

This fast, slender, harmless snake is the most commonly occurring in the foothills of the Natal Drakensberg, and backpackers may encounter several each day during the warmer months from November through to May, although there seem to be large fluctuations in the population from one year to the next.  Due to their slenderness and excellent camouflage, many more may be passed by unseen, although they often give away their presence by trying to make a quick getaway through the grass.  However, during some encounters, the author has observed a surprised skaapsteker lying ramrod straight in amongst long blades of grass, perhaps with the head looking back down along the body, a posture which makes it even more difficult to see.  Most of the skaapstekers encountered are seldom more than 60 cm in length, and are endearingly cute once one gets used to being surprised by them so often!

In the Natal Drakensberg, the striped skaapsteker is cream to straw-yellow in colour, with three well-defined, black-edged, dark brown longitudinal bands running its whole length.  The middle band is narrower than the lateral ones and may have a fine yellow line down its middle.  The lateral bands originate on either side of the head, just behind the nostrils.  During autumn, when the grass is yellowing, this colour scheme makes it extremely well camouflaged.

The name "skaapsteker" (which, translated literally, means "sheep stabber") stems from the belief that it is responsible for the killing of sheep, but this notion can be discounted because the snake is not aggressive and, even supposing its fangs could penetrate the skin of a sheep, it is unlikely that it could inject sufficient poison to cause death.  Such deaths are much more likely to be caused by puff adders and cobras.

Biology:

The venom is highly neurotoxic towards prey (lizards, frogs and small mammals such as rodents and shrews) but has little or no serious effect on humans, and you are unlikely to be bitten unless you pick one up and molest it!

Reference: VFM FitzSimons - A Field Guide to the Snakes of Southern Africa

Last modified on 2011/11/10