Boulenger’s garter snake is secretive and seldom encountered. Juveniles have 12 – 17 white or pale-yellow bands on the body and tail that fade with age. Adults are usually plain blackish brown or dark brown with a lighter belly and may have 8 – 17 narrow, pale white bands. It is a fossorial snake that may emerge at night from an underground shelter or deserted termite mound.
Full Name: Boulenger’s Garter Snake (Elapsoidea boulengeri)
Other Names: Zambezi Garter Snake; Zambesikousbandslang
Classification: VENOMOUS
Boulenger’s garter snake is secretive and seldom encountered. Juveniles have 12 – 17 white or pale-yellow bands on the body and tail that fade with age. Adults are usually plain blackish brown or dark brown with a lighter belly and may have 8 – 17 narrow, pale white bands. It is a fossorial snake that may emerge at night from an underground shelter or deserted termite mound.
These snakes are quite placid and rarely bite. They feed on snakes, lizards and their eggs and frogs, especially rain frogs. Small rodents are also taken. Little is known about their venom and bites have caused nausea, vomiting, pain and swelling.
