Uncommon find in Limpopo

Although very common in certain parts of South Africa, the Mole Snake, Pseudaspis cana, is a rare find in the Limpopo Province, especially in the northern areas.

Mole Snakes can grow to be large, thick-bodied snakes. Although they are not venomous, the teeth are long and  large individuals may inflict painful bites. Small snakes like the Thread Snakes (Leptotyphlops) and even the venomous Stiletto Snakes (Atractaspis) are often incorrectly referred to as Mole Snakes by locals.

It spends much of its life underground, hence the common name. It feeds mainly on rodents and fossorial (living underground) skinks.

The colour may vary, with solid black individuals being common in some parts of the country. Juveniles undergo a colour change when they become adults, and are blotched/checkered at birth (Mole Snakes give birth to live young, they do not lay eggs).

The individual pictured below was an adult photographed on the outskirts of Polokwane in the Limpopo Province of South Africa.