[WATCH] – Slithery assassins – Stiletto snake
This snake is quite difficult to identify and is often mistaken for one of the harmless snakes.
The stiletto snake or Sypikslang (Atractaspis bibronii), is a small, highly venomous snake, that accounts for numerous snakebites during the summer months. After the Mozambique spitting cobra and puff adder, this snake accounts for the majority of serious snakebites in South Africa.
“Previously known as a mole adder, viper or burrowing asp, these dark snakes are often confused with harmless-looking snakes. Due to this people tend to pick them up with their hands and the consequences of such a mistake can be very painful. Stiletto snakes are so named, because of these very large, hollow, mobile fangs situated in the front of the mouth, much the same as a stiletto dagger used by assassins,” said Ashley Kemp of the African Snakebite Institute.
This snake is quite difficult to identify and is often mistaken for one of the harmless snakes. There are a few features one can look for identification.
“The body and belly may be the same dark brown to blackish colour, but in many areas the body is brown to blackish and the belly white. When on the surface, this snake will often try to escape by digging its head into the sand and this will result in an arch being formed. They also tend to thrash around in jerky movements when threatened.”
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