Product has been added to your basket.

Public Courses
Corporate Training
- South African Training
- African Training
Shop
Free App
Posters
Species
Resources
Snakebite
News
Contact

Home
Online Courses
Beginners Snake Identification
Online Course – Beginners’ Guide to Snake Identification (Southern Africa)

Online Course – Beginners’ Guide to Snake Identification (Southern Africa)

Further Reading

For additional details on the species covered in this course, you can view the free Snake Profiles on the African Snakebite Institute website.

Johan Marais’ book – The Complete Guide to the Snakes of Southern Africa – is available for online purchase in English here, or in Afrikaans here.

Lastly, the free ASI Snakes mobile app for Android and iOS lists Snake Profiles, First Aid Information, and contact details for Snake Rescuers throughout Southern Africa.

Beginners Guide to Snake ID (SA) – Introduction – Quiz

Introduction to Harmless Species

The neck region and belly of a Mozambique Spitting

The neck region and belly of a Mozambique Spitting Cobra (Naja mossambica) from Pretoria, Gauteng. The belly is often a salmon pink to orange colour but may also be a mother-of-pearl colour. The dark bands or blotches in the neck region may extend onto the body. The overall body colour is light to medium or dark brown, often with dark skin between the scales visible. This snake is highly venomous with a cytotoxic venom.

#snake #snakes #snakesofinstagram #instasnakes #serpent #reptilelover #reptiles #reptilesofinstagram #reptilesofig #herping #herpetology #southafrica #wildlife #wildlifephotography #canonsa #canonphotography #canon #macrophotography #upclose #nature #naturephotography #animals #animalsofig #animalphotography #animalphotos #conservation #education

Berg Adder (Bitis atropos) from Mpumalanga, South

Berg Adder (Bitis atropos) from Mpumalanga, South Africa. Venomous.

There are at least four isolated populations of the Berg Adder, largely occurring at high elevations, except for the Western Cape and Eastern Cape where they may occur at sea level. This snake averages 30 – 40 cm, reaching 60 cm in length. It is fond of basking, especially on mountain paths and rocky ledges.

The Berg Adder is a bad-tempered snake that hisses loudly and strikes easily. Its venom is mainly neurotoxic and attacks the facial and optic nerves. Breathing may be affected by the venom and most patients may need to be ventilated. There is no antivenom for the bite of this snake, but no fatalities have been recorded.

#snakesofig #snakes #bergadder #bitis #africansnakebiteinstitute #snakesofafrica

Ultimate Vision Goggles for Spitting Snakes Ideal

Ultimate Vision Goggles for Spitting Snakes
Ideal eye protection for working with spitting snakes.

Stay protected from spitting snakes with these Ultimate Vision Goggles. Designed to keep your eyes safe and your vision clear, they’re perfect for fieldwork, outdoor adventures, or any situation where snake spit could be a risk. The transparent design gives you a full field of vision, so you can see everything around you, while shielding your eyes from venom, dust, and debris. The secure elastic band ensures a comfortable fit that stays in place, even in rugged conditions. Wherever you explore, these goggles have got you covered against spitting snakes!

R130.00 per pair - available from our online shop here: https://bit.ly/3UJ2fKh or email us on info@asiorg.co.za for details.
#PPE #healthandsafety #snakes #spittingsnakes #africansnakebiteinstitute

Black Mamba - largest venomous snake in Africa.

Black Mamba - largest venomous snake in Africa.

Black Mambas are beautiful snakes that prefer to flee given the chance.

#snake #africanwildlife #wildlife #africanwildanimals #reptiles #animals #blackmamba #snakesofIG #africansnakebiteinstitute #snakeawareness #snakeeducation

Péringuey’s Adder (Bitis peringueyi) from near

Péringuey’s Adder (Bitis peringueyi) from near Swakopmund, Namibia. Venomous.

A small adder that averages 25 cm in length. This is a desert specialist that inhabits the soft wind-blown dunes of the Namib Desert.

It is well known for its ability to sidewind, which is the only effective way to negotiate the soft, unstable dune sand. It also buries itself in the sand to escape heat and to await its prey in ambush. The eyes are positioned on the top of the head allowing them to see prey whilst buried. It is a lizard specialist, preferring sand lizards of the genus Meroles as well as barking geckos.

The venom of this snake is mildly cytotoxic, causing pain and some swelling, but is not considered dangerous to humans. Antivenom is not required or effective for this species.

#snakes #snakesofinstagram #reptile #bitis #africansnakebiteinstitute #snakeawreness #snakeeducation #namibia #snakesofnamibia

Short-snouted Grass Snake (Psammophis brevirostris

Short-snouted Grass Snake (Psammophis brevirostris) - Mildy venomous.

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.

#snake #snakeawareness #snakeeducation #africansnakebiteinstitute #psammophis #snakesofig

Brown Button Spider (Latrodectus geometricus) The

Brown Button Spider (Latrodectus geometricus)

These common spiders are often found around human dwellings – in the garage, under window sills, in the swimming pool pump box… They build a messy web and have large white, spiky egg sacs. They are usually a brown colour with darker bands on the joint of each leg. The abdomen is grey to white often with a series of dots. The characteristic hourglass shape under the abdomen is orange to red.

They are inoffensive and when disturbed, drop to the floor in a tight ball with the legs tucked in.
Bites are rare and usually occur when the spiders are squashed by accident in clothes or when lifting a box and trapping the spider with your fingers.

The venom is highly neurotoxic and causes pain, sweating, nausea, disorientation and shortness of the breath. A bite from a Brown Button Spider is unpleasant, but easily treatable and no deaths have been recorded.

#spidersofsouthafrica #latrodectus
#spidersofIG #africansnakebiteinstitute
#arachnids

A new post is doing the rounds on social media –

A new post is doing the rounds on social media – prescribing Chlorine dioxide solution (CDS) as a treatment for snakebite.
Chlorine dioxide solution (CDS) is used to disinfect wastewater. It kills bacteria and viruses.
It may break down venom in water, but in your body it will damage your red blood cells and the lining of your gastrointestinal tract.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have warned consumers to avoid CDS, as there is no evidence it works for snake bites (on any continent). Side effects of CDS in humans can be severe, including severe vomiting, liver failure and death.
The only treatment for bites from venomous snakes is antivenom, which needs to be administered in a hospital, by trained medical professionals.

#snakes #snakebite #antivenom #africansnakebiteinstitute

A harmless Common Egg-eater (Dasypeltis scabra) ha

A harmless Common Egg-eater (Dasypeltis scabra) has a threat display that appears to mimic the venomous Saw-scaled Vipers (Echis sp.) of north Africa.
It may also easily be confused for one of the local adder species such as a Puff Adder or Night Adder.

But these snakes are harmless and as their names suggests, they eat birds eggs.

#snakes #snakesofinstagram #reptiles #dasypeltis #wildlife #africa #animals #snakeawareness #snakeeducation #africansnakebiteinstitute

East-Africa Shovel-snout (Prosymna stuhlmanni) - H

East-Africa Shovel-snout (Prosymna stuhlmanni) - Harmless.

A smallish snake averaging around 18-25 cm reaching 35 cm. This snake inhabits lowland forest and moist savanna where it may be found under rocks or logs or in leaf litter. It is extremely docile and rarely attempts to bite. Unlike the other shovel-snouted snakes this snake does not coil and uncoil when threatened.

May be confused with other shovel-snouted snakes but usually has small whitish spots flanking the vertebrae and a yellow snout. The snout is not as pointed as other shovel-snout species. It feeds on reptile eggs, especially hard-shelled gecko eggs, as well as young lizards and reportedly flying ants. Females lay 3 – 4 eggs

#snakes #snakesofig #snakeawareness #snakeeducation #africansnakebiteinstitute

Namib Sand Snake (Psammophis namibensis) from near

Namib Sand Snake (Psammophis namibensis) from near Swakopmund, Namibia. Mildly Venomous.

A long and slender snake that averages 50-80 cm with a maximum length of 1.4 m. It has a light W pattern on the side of the head behind the eye. It occurs in arid Namib Desert and Karoo vegetation at low altitudes on the west coast of Namibia. The Namib Sand Snake hunts for lizards, rodents and snakes during the day, often with the front third of the body well off the ground.

This snake, like most sand snakes, is very quick and will seek refuge in the nearest shrub if disturbed.
Though back-fanged and venomous, the venom of this snake is mild and has virtually no effect on humans.

#snakes #snakesofinstagram #africansnakebiteinstitute #snakeawareness #snakeeducation #snakesofnamibia #psammophis

Jumping Spider (Family Salticidae) - Harmless. The

Jumping Spider (Family Salticidae) - Harmless.
These small charismatic spiders are common around human dwellings, in the garden and on walls in and out the house. They are free-living, not building webs and hunt with their good vision. They feed on flies and mosquitoes and a range of other small insects. They come in a huge variety of colours and sizes but are usually smaller than a pea.
They are quite intelligent, with good vision. You can watch them calculating the distances between objects they want to jump to or insects they are hunting. These spiders can jump about 30cm. They cannot bite people or pets and are great to have around the house to control insects.

#jumpingspider #spider #spidersofinstagram #arachnids #spidersofIG #africansnakebiteinstitute #wildlife

We are the leading training provider of Snake Awareness, First Aid for Snakebite, and Venomous Snake Handling courses in Africa, as well as the largest distributor of quality snake handling equipment on the continent.

Email

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

© Copyright 2021 African Snakebite Institute. All rights reserved. Built by CLC.

Get our App
Shop Online
Upcoming Courses
Returns & Refunds
T&Cs
Contact Us

© Copyright 2021 African Snakebite Institute. All rights reserved.

Built by CLC

ASI WhatsApp Channel

Join our WhatsApp Channel for free information about snakes & snakebite as well as notifications of our latest specials!

Mpumalanga Courses

Want to attend the course but can’t make it on this date?

Fill in your details below and we’ll notify you when we next present a course in this area:

[vc_empty_space height=”20px”]

Your email address:*
Your name:*
Your mobile number:
In which city / town do you live?*
In which city / town do you live?*
Which courses are you interested in?*
- Select All
- Level 1: Snake Awareness, First Aid for Snakebite, and Venomous Snake Handling
- Level 2: Snake Handling Bootcamp
- Level 3: Advanced Snake Handling
- Other: Advanced First Aid
- Other: Reptile Photography

Northern Cape Courses

Want to attend the course but can’t make it on this date?

Fill in your details below and we’ll notify you when we next present a course in this area:

[vc_empty_space height=”20px”]

Your email address:*
Your name:*
Your mobile number:
In which city / town do you live?*
Which courses are you interested in?*
- Select All
- Level 1: Snake Awareness, First Aid for Snakebite, and Venomous Snake Handling
- Level 2: Snake Handling Bootcamp
- Level 3: Advanced Snake Handling
- Other: Advanced First Aid
- Other: Reptile Photography

North-West Courses

Want to attend the course but can’t make it on this date?

Fill in your details below and we’ll notify you when we next present a course in this area:

[vc_empty_space height=”20px”]

Your email address:*
Your name:*
Your mobile number:
In which city / town do you live?*
Which courses are you interested in?*
- Select All
- Level 1: Snake Awareness, First Aid for Snakebite, and Venomous Snake Handling
- Level 2: Snake Handling Bootcamp
- Level 3: Advanced Snake Handling
- Other: Advanced First Aid
- Other: Reptile Photography

Limpopo Courses

Want to attend the course but can’t make it on this date?

Fill in your details below and we’ll notify you when we next present a course in this area:

[vc_empty_space height=”20px”]

Your email address:*
Your name:*
Your mobile number:
In which city / town do you live?*
Which courses are you interested in?*
- Select All
- Level 1: Snake Awareness, First Aid for Snakebite, and Venomous Snake Handling
- Level 2: Snake Handling Bootcamp
- Level 3: Advanced Snake Handling
- Other: Advanced First Aid
- Other: Reptile Photography

Free State Courses

Want to attend the course but can’t make it on this date?

Fill in your details below and we’ll notify you when we next present a course in this area:

[vc_empty_space height=”20px”]

Your email address:*
Your name:*
Your mobile number:
In which city / town do you live?*
Which courses are you interested in?*
- Select All
- Level 1: Snake Awareness, First Aid for Snakebite, and Venomous Snake Handling
- Level 2: Snake Handling Bootcamp
- Level 3: Advanced Snake Handling
- Other: Advanced First Aid
- Other: Reptile Photography

Western Cape Courses

Want to attend the course but can’t make it on this date?

Fill in your details below and we’ll notify you when we next present a course in this area:

[vc_empty_space height=”20px”]

Your email address:*
Your name:*
Your mobile number:
In which city / town do you live?*
Which courses are you interested in?*
- Select All
- Level 1: Snake Awareness, First Aid for Snakebite, and Venomous Snake Handling
- Level 2: Snake Handling Bootcamp
- Level 3: Advanced Snake Handling
- Other: Advanced First Aid
- Other: Reptile Photography

Gauteng Courses

Want to attend the course but can’t make it on this date?

Fill in your details below and we’ll notify you when we next present a course in this area:

[vc_empty_space height=”20px”]

Your email address:*
Your name:*
Your mobile number:
In which city / town do you live?*
Which courses are you interested in?*
- Select All
- Level 1: Snake Awareness, First Aid for Snakebite, and Venomous Snake Handling
- Level 2: Snake Handling Bootcamp
- Level 3: Advanced Snake Handling
- Other: Advanced First Aid
- Other: Reptile Photography

KwaZulu-Natal Courses

Want to attend the course but can’t make it on this date?

Fill in your details below and we’ll notify you when we next present a course in this area:

[vc_empty_space height=”20px”]

Your email address:*
Your name:*
Your mobile number:
In which city / town do you live?*
Which courses are you interested in?*
- Select All
- Level 1: Snake Awareness, First Aid for Snakebite, and Venomous Snake Handling
- Level 2: Snake Handling Bootcamp
- Level 3: Advanced Snake Handling
- Other: Advanced First Aid
- Other: Reptile Photography

Eastern Cape Courses

Want to attend the course but can’t make it on this date?

Fill in your details below and we’ll notify you when we next present a course in this area:

[vc_empty_space height=”20px”]

Your email address:*
Your name:*
Your mobile number:
In which city / town do you live?*
Which courses are you interested in?*
- Select All
- Level 1: Snake Awareness, First Aid for Snakebite, and Venomous Snake Handling
- Level 2: Snake Handling Bootcamp
- Level 3: Advanced Snake Handling
- Other: Advanced First Aid
- Other: Reptile Photography

Download Herp Bulletin

Before you download this resource, please enter your details:

Name*
Email Address*
Enter Email Confirm Email

Free PDF Download

Before you download this resource, would you like to join our email newsletter list?

Name*
Email Address*
Enter Email Confirm Email

African Snakebite Institute

Public Courses
Corporate Training
- South African Training
- African Training
Shop
Free App
Posters
Species
Resources
Snakebite
News
Contact

Modal title

Main Content