Short-snouted Grass Snake

A medium sized, fast-moving snake that is active during the day. It averages 40-60cm but may exceed a meter in length. This snake is fond of basking and very quick to escape. It may flee into low shrubs.

Full Name: Short-snouted Grass Snake (Psammophis brevirostris)

Other Names: Short-snouted Sand snake; Short-snouted Whip Snake; Kortsnoetgrasslang; Kortsnoetsandslang

Classification: MILDLY VENOMOUS

Map indicating the distribution of the Short-snouted Grass Snake, within Southern Africa.

A medium sized, fast-moving snake that is active during the day. It averages 40-60cm but may exceed a meter in length. This snake is fond of basking and very quick to escape. It may flee into low shrubs.

If handled it will not hesitate to bite. Individuals captured by the tail will spin and snap a piece of tail off in order to escape. The Short-snouted Grass Snake feeds on lizards, snakes and small rodents.

It is a common snake in Gauteng and occurs throughout most of the central part of southern Africa and as far south as the Eastern Cape. Also found in Limpopo, North West and elsewhere further north.The venom of this snake is mild and poses no threat to humans.

African Snakebite Institute