Vine Snake

Vital Statistics

Latin Name

Thelotornis Capensis

Length_F

975 mm

Length_M

1 062 mm

Order

Squamata

Family

Colubridae

Description

This extremely thin snake has a lance-shaped head and large eyes with keyhole-shaped pupils. The body scales are feebly keeled, in 19 oblique rows at midbody. The tail is very long. The body is twig-coloured.

Class

Reptilia

Subspecies

3 races are recognized

Distribution

Found in Eastern and Southern Africa, replaced in the rain forests of Central and Western Africa by T.kirtlandii.

Breeding

The female lays 4 - 18 small, elongate eggs in summer; these hatch in March, after 60 - 90 days. The young measure 230 - 331 mm TL and weigh 3 - 4 g. A female lay two clutches per season.

Venom

Prey is killed by envenomation, and is swallowed while the snake hangs downwards.

Diet

The diet is very varied, and includes lizards, frogs, small birds and even other snakes.