African Burrowing Snakes: Atractaspididae

Physical characteristics: Also known as Bibron's burrowing asp or the side-stabbing snake, the southern burrowing asp has backward-curved fangs at the front of its mouth. This snake has a thick body, with smooth, purplish-brown to black scales down its back and, usually, a dark-gray belly. A few have dark blotches on a whitish to cream-colored belly. Females can reach 24.4 inches (62 centimeters) in length, and males can grow to about 26 inches (66 centimeters).

Geographic range: This snake is found in the southern half of Africa.

Southern burrowing asps usually remain underground, but sometimes they come to the surface at night after a rainstorm. (Illustration by Bruce Worden. Reproduced by permission.)

Habitat: These snakes spend much of their lives underground in savannas, flat plains covered with grass and a few trees. They also live in dry, nearly desert habitats and near the coast in thick, brushy areas.

Diet: The southern burrowing asp eats other reptiles, rodents, and frogs.

Behavior and reproduction: True to their name, these snakes can dig through the soil. Much of their digging is done to make hollow compartments under rocks. They usually remain underground, but sometimes they come to the surface at night after a rainstorm. They have an unusual smell, but scientists still are unsure if that smell has any purpose, such as attracting mates or scaring off attackers. In the summer female southern burrowing asps each lay four to eleven oblong eggs, which hatch into 6-inch-long (15-centimeter-long) young snakes.

Southern burrowing asps and people: When people and burrowing asps live in the same area, snakebites are somewhat common. A bite can lead to pain and swelling, but it will not kill humans.

Conservation status: This species is not endangered or threatened. ∎