Snake Tales – Black-headed or Common Centipede-eater
The Centipede-eater is a strange little snake, but very interesting nonetheless.
FOR our last edition of Snake Tales, we’ll be focusing on the Black-headed or Common Centipede-eater, a small, unique species found in the Highway area.
What does it look like?
The Centipede-eater is a small snake, with adults usually being around 20cm to 30cm in length. It’s body is a yellowish brown colour, with the top part of the head being black (hence the name), and almost forming what looks like a collar.
It is a common snake, often found under pot plants, bricks/paving stones and wood etc. They are occasionally seen in swimming pools, after having fallen in. You’ll need to scoop it out with a pool net, if you wouldn’t mind.
Are they venomous?
Yes, but their mild venom has no effect on us. Also, because of their small size, biting the hand of a human isn’t exactly easy, although they do try. Their fangs are tiny, rarely piercing our skin. Still, please do not pick them up, or any other snake for that matter.
How do they eat centipedes?
A centipede is no easy creature to catch and eat.
If you don’t know what a centipede is: Centipedes look quite similar to millipedes (shongololos). However, their bodies are flattened rather than cylindrical like the millipede, and they have one pair of legs per body segment, while millipedes have two pairs. Centipedes have something called ‘maxillipeds’, which are a modified, pincer-like, pair of legs behind the head, which possesses venom. A bite from one can be painful. Like snakes though, they want to be left alone by people. They’re often seen under pot plants etc.
The Centipede-eater bites down on the centipede’s body, and chews on it, continuously injecting venom until the centipede eventually dies. Like how most snakes eat, they swallow their prey head first. However, the tables sometimes change, and the centipede ends up eating the snake. Despite that, they certainly do play a useful role in our gardens, by keeping centipede numbers in check.
The Centipede-eater is a strange little snake, but very interesting nonetheless.
PHOTO: Nick Evans
