It gets its name from the distinctive bright red, orange, or sometimes yellow markings on its upper lip and throat, which stand out vividly against its otherwise dark body. Sleek, smooth-scaled, and shy, this snake is often seen after rains or at dusk, when it emerges from its hiding spots to hunt. Although it looks striking and is sometimes mistaken for a venomous species, it is completely harmless to humans.
The red-lipped snake has a slim, graceful body and a slightly pointed head with large, round eyes—perfectly suited for its nocturnal lifestyle. Its coloring is typically dark gray to nearly black, sometimes with a faint, lighter stripe along the body, and its belly is pale or cream-colored. The bright lip markings are most vivid in younger individuals and males, while older adults may have more faded or dull coloration.
One of the most interesting things about the red-lipped snake is its specialized diet. It primarily feeds on frogs and toads, using its rear fangs and mild venom to subdue slippery prey. Unlike front-fanged snakes, the red-lipped snake has fangs located further back in its mouth, so it must chew a bit to work the venom in. This makes its bite harmless to humans, but quite effective on its preferred amphibian prey. Because of its reliance on frogs, the red-lipped snake is often most active in wet weather or near moist habitats like streams, wetlands, and gardens.
Despite its name and flashy markings, the red-lipped snake is non-aggressive and shy. When threatened, it may flatten its head, puff up its body, or even fake a strike with its mouth closed. These behaviors are all for show—it rarely bites unless physically handled or cornered. In fact, many people are surprised at how calm and docile it is when left alone.
Distribution
Benin
Botswana
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cameroon
Central Af. Rep.
Chad
Congo-Brazzaville
Côte D’ivoire
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Gabon
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea-Bissau
Guinea
Kenya
Liberia
Mali
Niger
Nigeria
Rwanda
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Africa
South Sudan
Sudan
Tanzania
Togo
UgandaAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
