Red-lipped Snake
Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia
Silhouette: Alex Slavenko · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassSquamata
- FamilyColubridae (Colubrid Snakes)
- GenusCrotaphopeltis (Herald Snakes)
- SpeciesCrotaphopeltis hotamboeia (Red-lipped Snake)
About the Red-lipped Snake
Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia, commonly known as the herald snake or the red-lipped snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa. Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia can be identified by its olive green or grey body, multiple white speckles, distinctive black head, and red, yellow, white, or black upper lip. It can grow to an average total length (including tail) of 70 cm (28 in), but may reach up to 1 metre (39 inches) in total length.
It is mildly venomous and poses no threat to humans or domestic animals, according to the African Snakebite Institute. C. hotamboeia feeds on amphibians (including rain frogs), lizards, and other snakes (only in captivity). The red-lipped snake has been known to live for between 10 and 15 years. Adult females of C. hotamboeia lay between 6 and 19 eggs in early summer.
Endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa, the herald snake is present in Zambia, throughout South Africa (except for the Karoo and Northern Cape) as well as Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, southern and central Mozambique, and northern Botswana.
The herald... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Red-lipped Snake in Kruger National Park
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Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tarangire National Park | 🇹🇿 Tanzania | |
| 2 | iSimangaliso Wetland Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 3 | Garden Route National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 4 | Table Mountain National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 5 | Addo Elephant National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 6 | Kruger National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 7 | Liwonde National Park | 🇲🇼 Malawi | |
| 8 | Gorongosa National Park | 🇲🇿 Mozambique | |
| 9 | Lower Zambezi National Park | 🇿🇲 Zambia | |
| 10 | Arusha National Park | 🇹🇿 Tanzania | |
| 11 | Mana Pools National Park | 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe | |
| 12 | Gonarezhou National Park | 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe | |
| 13 | South Luangwa National Park | 🇿🇲 Zambia | |
| 14 | Akagera National Park | 🇷🇼 Rwanda | |
| 15 | Aberdare National Park | 🇰🇪 Kenya | |
| 16 | Nairobi National Park | 🇰🇪 Kenya | |
| 17 | Tsavo West National Park | 🇰🇪 Kenya | |
| 18 | Queen Elizabeth National Park | 🇺🇬 Uganda | |
| 19 | Mkomazi National Park | 🇹🇿 Tanzania | |
| 20 | Hwange National Park | 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe | |
| 21 | Masai Mara National Reserve | 🇰🇪 Kenya | |
| 22 | Ngorongoro Conservation Area | 🇹🇿 Tanzania | |
| 23 | Tsavo East National Park | 🇰🇪 Kenya | |
| 24 | Serengeti National Park | 🇹🇿 Tanzania |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Red-lipped Snake in Kruger National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Red-lipped Snake sighting in Kruger National Park, based on 55 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Red-lipped Snake in Kruger National Park?
November has the highest sighting rate for Red-lipped Snake in Kruger National Park in our monthly data.