Red-lipped Snake
Red-lipped SnakeRed-lipped SnakeRed-lipped SnakeRed-lipped Snake

Red-lipped Snake

Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia

Silhouette: Alex Slavenko · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
Daily sighting probability Insufficient data
at Queen Elizabeth National Park
2 Verified sightings at Queen Elizabeth National Park From 2019 to 2026
305 Verified sightings across all 24 parks From 2019 to 2026
☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

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 →

Closest Relatives at Queen Elizabeth National Park

Spotted Bush Snake
LC

Spotted Bush Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Philothamnus semivariegatus

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data
Smith's African Water Snake
LC

Smith's African Water Snake

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Grayia smithii

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data
Boomslang
LC

Boomslang

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Dispholidus typus

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data

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
~20%
2 iSimangaliso Wetland Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
~10%
3 Garden Route National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
~10%
4 Table Mountain National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
~10%
5 Addo Elephant National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
~10%
6 Kruger National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
~10%
7 Liwonde National Park 🇲🇼 Malawi
Insufficient data
8 Gorongosa National Park 🇲🇿 Mozambique
Insufficient data
9 Lower Zambezi National Park 🇿🇲 Zambia
Insufficient data
10 Arusha National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data
11 Mana Pools National Park 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
Insufficient data
12 Gonarezhou National Park 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
Insufficient data
13 South Luangwa National Park 🇿🇲 Zambia
Insufficient data
14 Akagera National Park 🇷🇼 Rwanda
Insufficient data
15 Aberdare National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
Insufficient data
16 Nairobi National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
Insufficient data
17 Tsavo West National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
Insufficient data
18 Queen Elizabeth National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
Insufficient data
19 Mkomazi National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data
20 Hwange National Park 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
Insufficient data
21 Masai Mara National Reserve 🇰🇪 Kenya
Insufficient data
22 Ngorongoro Conservation Area 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data
23 Tsavo East National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
Insufficient data
24 Serengeti National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data
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