Snakes are common in Zambia and include the deadliest and largest species in Africa. There are 92 types of snakes in Zambia and of those 16 are considered potentially deadly, and 9 can cause painful bites. Snakes are critical to pest control and ecological balance. The world would be much poorer without them. The snakes of Zambia and Africa need to be understood, not feared.
Most snakes in Zambia are therefore harmless. Snakes will avoid contact with humans and will move away if they feel vibrations from our footsteps. We should remember that they are also afraid of us. Most snakebites are not reported (about 70% for sub-Saharan Africa), with most people seeking help from traditional healers. These treatments are more likely to worsen the situation, for serious envenomation, especially due to the delay in receiving antivenom.
Avoid contact with snakes, including young ones and ones that look dead, they might be pretending to be dead, as a defence mechanism
Do not surprise, corner or attack snakes, forcing them to defend themselves
Wear thick boots and trousers when out in the great outdoors
Avoid turning over rock, logs or other items that could be concealing a snake
Don’t put your hands in out-of- sight spaces
Do not try to catch the snake, if someone has been bitten
Name
Phone #
Area Covered
1
Brian Tembo
0966799463
Lusaka (Northmead, Rodespark, Roma, Thornpark)
2
Daymon Brome
0977890540
Lusaka (Chilanga, Makeni, Ibex hill, Leopards hill, new kasama)
3
Wilfred Moonga
0979313622
Chilanga, Kafue, Lusaka
4
Hendricks Sambiana
0977108926
Chilanga, Kafue, Lusaka
5
Walumbita Sambiana
0972842216
Chilanga, Kafue
6
Erik Schoute
0978775258
Lusaka (6 miles – Ngwerere, Chartonel, airport)
7
Norman Barrett
0960992306
Lusaka (State lodge, Leopards hill, Palabana, KKIA)
8
Elin Murless
0954449014
Lusaka (New Kasama, Chifwewma, Shantumbo)
9
Emmanuel Chota
0977865437
Lusaka (AISL, Leopards Hill road, Chalala, shantumbu, Chilenge, Woodlands)
Snakes should be appreciated and respect, at a distance, especially the deadly ones. Zambia has a number of deadly snakes that must be avoided. They include some of the deadliest snakes in the world.
Deadliest snakes in Zambia
(Dendroaspis polylepis) Other Names: Swartmamba
VERY DANGEROUS snakes. Have caused human fatalities.
Potent neurotoxic venom; can cause difficulty with breathing within half an hour
The Black Mamba also possesses the most evolved “venom delivery system” of any snake.
Found in most parts of the country
The Black Mamba can slither at 20 km/hr (12.5 miles/hr). It is widely recognised as being one the fastest snake in the world, on the ground, and the fastest in Africa. It uses its speed for hunting and, if need be, fleeing. It is not for chasing after people (which people think it does).
The Black mamba bites are rarely on the upper body, usually on the limbs. However, the mamba could potentially bite the torso which makes the bite more dangerous as it is close to the vital organs.
The Black Mamba is grey, brown, or olive in colour but black inside its’ mouth. It can grow to 4.3m (14ft) and weigh 1.6kg (3.5lb). It can raise the front third of its body, so bites to humans are likely to be on the upper body. It is the largest venomous snake in Africa, it is second to the King Cobra in the world. It mostly eats rodents and birds.
(Naja nigricollis)
VERY DANGEROUS snakes. Have caused human fatalities.
Potent cytotoxic venom that can cause pain, swelling, blistering and possibly tissue damage
The Black-necked spitting cobra Sprays venom when cornered, over 3 metres (10 ft), with deadly accuracy.
It occurs in most parts of Zambia, except the Southern Province and the South-East of Zambia
Colour varies from black to yellowish-brown, can grow to 2.2m (7.2ft) and weigh. Depending on the time of year, it can be either nocturnal or diurnal.
(Dispholidus typus)
VERY DANGEROUS snakes. Have caused human fatalities.
Potent haemotoxic venom attacking the blood clotting mechanism and causing uncontrolled bleeding. There is no anti-venom in Zambia.
In Afrikaans, “boom” “slang” means “tree” “snake”.
Found in all parts of the country
Females are brown and males bright green with black lines. They can grow to 1.5m (5ft) and 0.5kg (1.1lb). They are venomous snakes but timid and a bite can be fatal for humans. However, bites are extremely rare and the venom works very slowly (first symptoms after hours).
(Bitis gabonica) Other Names: Gaboon Adder; Gaboenadder
VERY DANGEROUS snakes. Have caused human fatalities.
Potent, predominantly cytotoxic venom that can cause shock, severe pain, swelling, blistering and necrosism
The Gaboon viper has the longest fangs and the highest venom yield of any serpent.
Found in North Western, Copperbelt and Luapula provinces.
The fangs can reach a length of 5cm (2in). Like the Puff adder, young a born alive. Intricately patterned with a mixture of brown, black, yellow, cream and blue-black. They have almost perfect camouflage on a leaf-littered forest floor. It is the largest viper and can grow to 205cm (81in) and 8kg (18lbs). These snakes eat mice and rats.
(Bitis arietans)
VERY DANGEROUS snakes. Have caused human fatalities.
Potent cytotoxic venom that can cause severe pain, swelling, blistering and often, severe tissue damage
The Puff adder Puffs itself up and hisses when threatened. It’s eggs hatch inside the female, ovi-vipipary, they, therefore “give birth” to live young.
Found throughout the country.
The puff adder will rely on its exceptional camouflage for protection and remain still rather than fleeing when it detects danger. People are then more likely to be bitten, after accidentally stepping on them.
Colour varies from straw-yellow to reddish-brown with chevron-shaped patterns. Reputed to be responsible for most snakebite fatalities of humans due to good camouflaged, wide distribution, frequency in populated areas and remains motionless when approached. They can grow up to 120 cm (47 in) and 6.0 kg (13.2 lbs). The snakes main prey are rodents.
(Python sebae natalensis) Other Names: African Rock Python
DANGEROUS snakes. Painful bite, but does not require antivenom.
No venom. It constricts its prey
The Southern African Python is recognised as a “primitive” snake species because of two lungs while most snakes have only one.
Found in most areas except some parts Western, Southern and Central provinces and most of North-western and Eastern provinces.
Southern African Python has bright yellow to dark green splotches and can reach 5.5m (18ft) and weigh up to 65kg (143). It is the largest snake in the country, second biggest in Africa. It is non-venomous, as it is a constrictor. These snakes are mostly nocturnal and hunt small animals to animals as large as antelopes, even crocodiles.
Southern African python
Mostly active at night
Fond of basking during the day
Will often live down aardvark holes and bask near the hole.
It was once recognised as a subspecies of the African Rock Python (Python sebae). The Southern african python is now recognised as a full species.
Boomslang, Twig Snake or responsible snake not identified
Immobilise the patient and promptly transport to hospital
Adder, Stiletto, Spitting Cobra or Pain & swelling
Elevate the affected limb slightly above the heart and immobilise the limb. NO PRESSURE BANDAGES With spitters, there is immediate, burning pain. The venom leads to shock, which can kill a person. If venom enters the eyes, rinse out with lots of water for at least 15 minutes.
Mamba or Non-spitting Cobra
Wrap the affected limb in pressure bandages and apply a splint
Additional snake species in Zambia
Snakes are generally classified into the four categories, below. It is, however, advisable to avoid all snakes as misidentification can cost a life.
VERY DANGEROUS. Has caused human fatalities.
DANGEROUS. Painful bite, but does not require antivenom.
MILDLY VENOMOUS. Not thought to be harmful.
HARMLESS. Not dangerous to humans.
Challenges in quick snake identification
One of these snakes is mildly venomous and the other very dangerous. One’s venom is mild and has little effect on humans and the other 100 % fatal, without antivenom. One is an Olive Grass Snake and the other a Black Mamba, respectively. Both are fast snakes, usually limiting the time for the identification process. Olive Grass Snakes, Black Mambas and female Boomslangs are often confused with each other. Avoid contact with snakes. Respect them and leave them alone.
<strong>Blind snakes</strong>
Blind snakes are mainly small non-venomous snakes, with blunt heads. They belong to the Typhlopoidea superfamily and have degenerate eyes that lie beneath opaque head scales. They have smooth, shiny scales.
Angolan Bind Snake: HARMLESS
Gracile Blind Snake: HARMLESS
Schmidt’s Blind Snake: HARMLESS
Zambezi Blind Snake: HARMLESS
<strong>Burrowing snakes</strong>
Burrowing snakes have have small heads, and mostly non-dangerous, except for the burrowing asps.
Bibron’s or Southern Stiletto snake (Atractaspis bibronii): VERY DANGEROUS; potent venom. It’s xytotoxic and can cost someone a finger or part of a hand. For a child it can be very dangerous. It is also known as Southern Burrowing Asp, Mole Viper and side-stabbing snake
Cape Centipede Eater (Aparallactus capensis): MILDLY VENOMOUS; venom has no real effect on humans. It is also known as Black-headed Centipede-eater
Common Purple-glossed Snake (Amblyodipsas polylepis polylepis): MILDLY VENOMOUS; venom has no real effect on humans
Elongated Quill-snouted Snake (Xenocalamus mechowii): MILDLY VENOMOUS; venom has no real effect on humans
Gerard’s Black and Yellow Burrowing Snake (Chilorhinophis gerardi): MILDLY VENOMOUS; venom has no real effect on humans
Kalahari Purple-glossed Snake (Amblyodipsas ventrimaculata): MILDLY VENOMOUS; venom has no real effect on humans
Reticulated Centipede Eater (Aparallactus lunulatus): MILDLY VENOMOUS; venom has no real effect on humans
<strong>Cobras</strong>
Cobras are highly venomous snakes, found in Africa and Asia. Cobras are Old World elapid snakes (genera Naja and Ophiophagus) that can expand the skin on the back of their neck into a hood. They usually do this when they are excited, in combination with intimidating upright postures. Heed the warning. Cobras possess an excellent sense of smell and night vision.
Anchieta’s Cobra: VERY DANGEROUS; potent, predominantly neurotoxic venom, can cause blistering and tissue damage
Forest Cobra: VERY DANGEROUS; potent neurotoxic and cytotoxic venom
Mozambique Spitting Cobra: VERY DANGEROUS; potent cytotoxic venom, can cause pain, swelling, blisters and often, severe tissue damage. It spits up to about 2.5 metres. Is found in the Southern part of the country.
Snouted Cobra: VERY DANGEROUS; potent both neurotoxic and cytotoxic venom, can cause some tissue damage
<strong>Vipers</strong>
Vipers are thickly built venomous snakes, with large hinged fangs. Most have keeled scales (ridged), rather than smooth scales. Pit vipers have a heat-sensitive pit organ, to help detect, aim at and strike warm-blooded prey. The organ is located between each eye and nostril.
Rhombic or Common Night Adder: DANGEROUS; cytotoxic venom causes pain and swelling. Some, especially in children, may require hospitalisation
Snouted Night Adder: DANGEROUS; cytotoxic venom causes pain and swelling
<strong>Worm (or Thread) snakes</strong>
Incognito Worm Snake: HARMLESS
Katanga Worm Snake: HARMLESS
Long-tailed Thread Snake: HARMLESS
Peters’ Thread Snake: HARMLESS
<strong>Other snakes</strong>
Cape File Snake: HARMLESS
Cape Wolf Snake: HARMLESS
Common Egg Eater: HARMLESS
Dwarf Sand Snake: MILDLY VENOMOUS; venom has no real effect on humans
East African Shovel-snout: HARMLESS
Eastern Bark Snake: MILDLY VENOMOUS; venom has no real effect on humans
Eastern Striped Swamp Snake: HARMLESS
Eastern Tiger Snake: MILDLY VENOMOUS; venom has no real effect on humans
Green Water Snake: HARMLESS
Grey-bellied Grass: MILDLY VENOMOUS; the venom has almost no effect on man and is not dangerous.
Jalla’s Sand Snake: MILDLY VENOMOUS; venom has no real effect on humans
Lined Olympic Snake: MILDLY VENOMOUS; venom has no real effect on humans
Mole Snake: DANGEROUS; Non venomous but can inflict a serious bite. Also known as Molslang
Olive Grass Snake: MILDLY VENOMOUS; venom has no real effect on humans. Also known as Olive Whip Snake; Olive Sand Snake; Olyfgrasslang; Olyfsweepslang (Psammophis mossambicus)
Olive Marsh Snake: HARMLESS
Phillips’ Sand Snake: MILDLY VENOMOUS
Rufous Beaked Snake: MILDLY VENOMOUS; very mild venom and has no effect on humans. Other Names: Haakneusslang
Semiornate Snake: HARMLESS Other Names: Suidelike bosslang
Shreve’s Nocturnal Tree Snake
Shreve’s Tree Snake
Spotted Bush Snake: HARMLESS
Stripe-bellied Sand Snake: MILDLY VENOMOUS; very mild venom and has no effect on humans
Sundevall’s Shovelsnout: HARMLESS
Three-lined Grass Snake: MILDLY VENOMOUS; venom is weak and unlikely to have any effect on humans
Two-striped Shovelsnout
Twig Snake (Eastern): VERY DANGEROUS; Potent haemotoxic venom attacking the blood clotting mechanism and causing uncontrolled bleeding. Other Names: Vine Snake; Bird Snake. There is no anti-venom in Zambia. However, bites are extremely rare and the venom works very slowly (first symptoms after hours).
