A small snake that grows larger in the southern part of its range. It has a flattened head. Colouration is usually uniform dark brown to black, sometimes with each scale white-tipped and a white- or black-speckled belly.
Class
Reptilia
Subspecies
3 races are cognized
Distribution
Throughout most of the subcontinent, except the Namib desert and most of the Cape. Isolated records from Southern Cape and the Southern Namib desert. Elsewhere, through Eastern Africa to Egypt.
Breeding
The female lays 3 - 9 eggs in early summer; they may hatch in only 51 days. Hatchlings measure about 120 mm.
