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Like most dwarf adders they are heavily collected for the illegal pet trade both locally and internationally. Affecting sense of smell, taste and sight in extreme cases. Bites are uncommon and the venom seems to have largely neurotoxic properties which in some cases may cause prolonged effects on the senses. Often sheltering under rocks and beneath grass tussocks, commonly seen basking on hiking paths on table Mountain. Typically favouring rocky high altitude montane regions associated with grasslands in the East, although in the Eastern and Western Cape they may be found at sea level. There are more or less three distinctive populations of Berg Adders in South Africa. These snakes have a short temper that will hiss and struck out violently when accosted. Pale Young Puff Adder Berg Adder (Bitis atropos) HIGHLY VENOMOUSĪveraging 30 cm but specimens may reach 60 cm.Ī short stocky snake, which ranges in colours from charcoal black, with a number of lighter or darker patches along the back. Unlike most cobra species they are also well-known to have a black tail tip which is a key indicator between the Cape Cobra and Snouted Cobra. Juveniles have a prominent black throat band which fades with age. These snakes are highly variable in colour and can be bright yellow, yellow with black speckles, sandy brown, dark brown almost blackish and pale yellow almost grey in colour in some parts. Favouring drier arid environments as well as fynbos biomes including table mountain and surrounds.
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The Cape Cobra is extremely common in the Western Parts of South Africa including Cape Town. Polyvalent anti-venom is used in the effective treatment of bites. For the October, 1980 issue of High Times, resident snake charmer John A. Another aspect is the ever expanding urban sprawl and development of wild areas for housing and business – causing human snake interaction in the general area of Cape Town.īe sure to also read Common Harmless Snakes of South AfricaĪfrica’s most potent species of Cobra having a mainly neurotoxic venom with neurotoxic properties these snakes do not spit/spray their venom. With Cape Town being surrounded by wide open spaces of fynbos, mountains and parks snakes are often encountered. While the western cape is only home to around 40 species of snakes of which most are completely harmless and only half a dozen or so are considered to be dangerous and capable of inflicting a bite which would require serious medical attention