Myths and Hoaxes

“Harmless vs Venomous”

Viral Posts

“Harmless vs Venomous”

Another image doing the rounds on social media is this one.

Telling users how only venomous snakes have a single row of scales after the anal plate, while harmless snakes have dual (or paired scales) after the anal plate. General rule – if you have to look that closely you’re in trouble!

This is obviously not true as many of the dangerous snakes in Southern Africa have paired subcaudal scales including the Black Mamba, Green Mamba, Cape Cobra, Vine Snake, Boomslang and Puff Adder to name a few.

African Snakebite Institute