Eastern Shield-nose Snake
Aspidelaps scutatus
Silhouette: SeismicShrimp · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassSquamata
- FamilyElapidae (Elapid Snakes)
- GenusAspidelaps (Shield-nosed Cobras)
- SpeciesAspidelaps scutatus (Eastern Shield-nose Snake)
About the Eastern Shield-nose Snake
The shield-nosed cobra (Aspidelaps scutatus), also known commonly as the eastern shield-nose snake, is a species of venomous snake of the family Elapidae. The species is native to southern Africa. There are three recognized subspecies.
Adults of Aspidelaps scutatus have an average snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 63.5 cm (25.0 in). The dorsal scales are arranged in 21–25 rows at midbody, and they are keeled on the posterior portion of the body. The shield-nosed cobra is found in Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The preferred natural habitat of Aspidelaps scutatus is sandy-soiled savanna, at altitudes of 90–1,400 m (300–4,590 ft). Aspidelaps scutatus can survive between 20 and 28 years in captivity, though this age is normally not attained in the wild due to predation, accidents, etc.
The species Aspidelaps scutatus is highly venomous, and its bite has caused at least one reported death of a human, despite its propensity to bite being somewhat low. The venom is highly neurotoxic. Symptoms include slurred speech, ptosis, and partial paralysis... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Eastern Shield-nose Snake in Kruger National Park
LIVEiNaturalist
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kruger National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 2 | Gonarezhou National Park | 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe | |
| 3 | Hwange National Park | 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Eastern Shield-nose Snake in Kruger National Park?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Eastern Shield-nose Snake sighting in Kruger National Park, based on 14 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Eastern Shield-nose Snake in Kruger National Park?
March has the highest sighting rate for Eastern Shield-nose Snake in Kruger National Park in our monthly data.