Looks Can Be Deceiving

The Beaked Stiletto Snake, Atractaspis duerdeni, has an erratic distribution in South Africa, mostly in the north-western parts of the country. The closely related Southern Stiletto Snake, Atractaspis bibronii is more widely distributed and fairly commonly encountered.

Stiletto Snakes spend most of their lives underground, where they hunt rodents and other fossorial reptiles in their burrows. Because of this hunting method, the snake has developed the ability to protrude the fangs from the side of the mouth, allowing it to squeeze in next to it's prey and 'stab' it. For the same reason, the snake cannot safely be restrained behind the head, or handled in any way.

They are small snakes that look harmless, however they have a strong cytotoxic venom that causes severe swelling and pain and have caused many to lose a finger.

Never pick up any little black or purple looking snake.