Snake ID

[jpseekles]

I saw this snake in Kruger National Park around the Satara area in October, but I have no idea what kind of snake it is. Can anyone help me identify it?


Many thanks

Johan

[jaconell]

The burst of speed at the end and body-shape says Black Mamba. But why I doubt it is the fact that is sails with its head on the ground. Normally a Black Mamba will have its head a couple of inches of the ground.

Not a pro opinion though.

[Luka]

I want to say boomslang, but extremely difficult to id on what is available. The last bit where it speeds up and disappears into the grass it looks more like one of the sand or grass snakes. It also appears to have markings on the head that would support sand snake.

[jpseekles]

It had some orange tint on the head and tail and it was not a small snake.

Thanks for trying to ID

Johan

[GH]

Mole snake?

[PJ SA]

Olive Grass Snake

[jpseekles]

I just checked some pictures of olive grass snake and it looks indeed very similar.

Many thanks for your help.

Johan

[jpseekles]

Map indicating the distribution of the Olive Grass Snake in Southern Africa.Olive grass sanke : A large, fast-moving diurnal snake that reaches a maximum length of 1.8 m. It is very quick to escape, invariably disappears down the closest hole but bites readily if handled. Because of its size and habit of lifting its head well off the ground, this snake is often mistaken for a Black Mamba or female Boomslang. It climbs well and is often found in shrubs.
Over much of its range, especially northern KZN, it is one of the most frequently encountered snakes. It is often killed on roads. It preys on lizards, frogs, small mammals, birds and other snakes, including venomous ones. The venom of the Olive Grass Snake is mild and has little effect on humans.

[K Marshall]

Is this a female common boomslang or olive grass snake? It’s about 800mm long.

[Jens78]

Is this a female common boomslang or olive grass snake? It’s about 800mm long.

The scales look too smooth to be a boomslang.

[lekhubu943]

Is this a female common boomslang or olive grass snake? It’s about 800mm long.

I would say olive grass snake. It seems to have a longer pointed nose. Boomslang nose is short and 'blunt'.

[Nords]

I had a snake caught in some netting, here in Kenya. Freed it carefully and it xzipped off. Most people thought it was an Olive Grass Snake.

Edit: Grrrrrr, theyhave come out sideways. It was 3.5 to 4 foot long and a couple of people commented that it was a female Boomslang. Unlikely up here perhaps. The Olive Grass Snake is poisonous but not life threating to humans, unlike the boomslang obviously.

[jaconell]

Just had a series of mini heart attacks, busy watering the plants.

Bushsnake of sorts?

[Luka]

Just had a series of mini heart attacks, busy watering the plants.

Bushsnake of sorts?

Eastern Natal Green snake - Harmless. Lovely snakes.

[GKE]

Just had a series of mini heart attacks, busy watering the plants.

Bushsnake of sorts?

Looks like a Green Water snake.

[PJ SA]

Looks like a Green Water snake.

Agreed, although these are close to trying to ID LBJs from a quick pic. Beauty of a snake

Although size wise it looks a bit long when looking again, Luka is likely right

[Luka]

There are similar other species but difficult to be 100% from this foto.

Get CLOSER !

[PJ SA]

Jaco how long is the snake roughly?

[jaconell]

Jaco how long is the snake roughly?

70 - 80 cm (& 6 huge steps)