A fascinating and often misunderstood snake native to eastern and southern Africa. This species gets its name from the distinctive pointed snout, which resembles a bird’s beak. This “beak” isn’t just for show; it helps the snake dig and burrow through sandy or loose soil, making it well-adapted to the dry savannas, grasslands, and scrublands it inhabits.

Its body is typically a uniform reddish-brown to rust color, giving it the “rufous” name, while the belly is paler—usually off-white or cream. Its coloration helps it blend in perfectly with dry leaves, red soils, and grasses, making it hard to spot unless it’s on the move. Though not as flashy as some African snakes, its slender body and sharp, alert face give it a distinctive look.

One of the most interesting aspects of the rufous beaked snake is its rear-fanged venom system. It’s mildly venomous, with enlarged fangs positioned toward the back of the mouth. This venom isn’t dangerous to humans but works well on its prey, which includes lizards, rodents, frogs, and sometimes small birds. The snake uses a quick strike-and-hold technique, biting and then maneuvering prey deeper into its mouth where the rear fangs can do their work. Because it’s fast-moving and bold, it’s often mistaken for more dangerous snakes like the black mamba, which it superficially resembles in size and shape—though it’s far less threatening.

Despite its name and appearance, the rufous beaked snake is non-aggressive and prefers to flee when approached. It’s diurnal (active during the day) and spends much of its time hunting or basking in the sun. When threatened, it may flatten its body, hiss loudly, and even perform a mock strike to scare off intruders, but it rarely bites unless provoked or handled.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Botswana

2014

Djibouti

2014

Possibly Extant

Ethiopia

2014

Kenya

2014

Malawi

2014

Mozambique

2014

Somalia

2014

South Africa

2014

South Sudan

2014

Tanzania

2014

Uganda

2014

Zambia

2014

Zimbabwe

2014