Mole snake
Encyclopedia
The mole snake is a species of snake
in the family Pseudaspididae. It is native to much of southern Africa, and is the only member of the genus Pseudaspis. A study showed that P. cana are caught and consumed by the honey badger, among other species. Remains of the mole snake were found in the faeces, and suggest that the consumed individuals were larger specimens.
, Bibron, & Duméril
, 1854), before being reclassified Pseudaspis cana (Boulenger
, 1893).
P. cana is the only species in genus Pseudaspis.
, P. cana is non-venomous
.
In mature individuals, the body is mostly one colour, and may vary from yellow to brown to grey, and in some cases, solid black. The young have dark markings and spots that are gradually lost as the individual ages. Colour may be related to geography; in the south, most specimens are black whereas specimens found in the northern part of their range are brown, reddish brown, grey or yellow.
s (hence the name), rodent
s, and other small mammals. For this reason, it is considered useful for the natural control of problem rodents.
Its diet may also include the eggs of seafowl. At Robben Island
, mole snakes were observed eating the eggs of Spheniscus demersus (African penguin), Larus hartlaubii (Harlaub's gull), and Numida meleagris (helmeted Guinea-fowl). Juveniles were observed eating Strongylopus grayii (clicking stream frogs).
The Mole snake is a nest predator of the Karoo prinia
. P. cana is one of at least six snake species which cause reproductive loss and decrease of nest success in the Karoo prinia.
in the north to Kenya
in the east to South Africa
.
Mole snakes live in the abandoned burrows of other animals. They can be found in a variety of habitats, such as the scrublands of the South African Cape
and the Highveld
plateaux and grasslands. Mole snakes have also been found in mountainous and desert areas.
Snake
Snakes are elongate, legless, carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpentes that can be distinguished from legless lizards by their lack of eyelids and external ears. Like all squamates, snakes are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping scales...
in the family Pseudaspididae. It is native to much of southern Africa, and is the only member of the genus Pseudaspis. A study showed that P. cana are caught and consumed by the honey badger, among other species. Remains of the mole snake were found in the faeces, and suggest that the consumed individuals were larger specimens.
Taxonomy
P. cana was originally described by Linnaeus in 1758. Its original binomial name was Coluber cana. Since then, it has also been known as Coronella cana (DumérilAndré Marie Constant Duméril
André Marie Constant Duméril was a French zoologist. He was professor of anatomy at the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle from 1801 to 1812, when he became professor of herpetology and ichthyology...
, Bibron, & Duméril
Auguste Duméril
Auguste Henri André Duméril was a French zoologist. He was professor of Herpetology and Ichthyology at the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris from 1857. His father André Marie Constant Duméril was also a zoologist...
, 1854), before being reclassified Pseudaspis cana (Boulenger
George Albert Boulenger
George Albert Boulenger FRS was a Belgian-British zoologist who identified over 2000 new animal species, chiefly fish, reptiles and amphibians.-Life:...
, 1893).
P. cana is the only species in genus Pseudaspis.
Description
The mole snake can grow to lengths of up to 2 metres (6.6 ft). A small head and pointed snout are said to be characteristics of the species. It has a firm, tubular body. Like the majority ColubrinaeColubrinae
Colubrinae is a subfamily of the Colubridae family of snakes. It includes numerous genera, and taxonomic sources often disagree on the exact number...
, P. cana is non-venomous
Venomous snake
"Poisonous snake" redirects here. For true poisonous snakes, see Rhabdophis.Venomous snakes are snakes which have venom glands and specialized teeth for the injection of venom...
.
In mature individuals, the body is mostly one colour, and may vary from yellow to brown to grey, and in some cases, solid black. The young have dark markings and spots that are gradually lost as the individual ages. Colour may be related to geography; in the south, most specimens are black whereas specimens found in the northern part of their range are brown, reddish brown, grey or yellow.
Diet
The primary food source of P. cana comprises golden moleGolden mole
Golden moles are small, insectivorous burrowing mammals native to southern Africa. They form the family Chrysochloridae, and are taxonomically distinct from the true moles which they resemble due to convergence...
s (hence the name), rodent
Rodent
Rodentia is an order of mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must be kept short by gnawing....
s, and other small mammals. For this reason, it is considered useful for the natural control of problem rodents.
Its diet may also include the eggs of seafowl. At Robben Island
Robben Island
Robben Island is an island in Table Bay, 6.9 km west of the coast of Bloubergstrand, Cape Town, South Africa. The name is Dutch for "seal island". Robben Island is roughly oval in shape, 3.3 km long north-south, and 1.9 km wide, with an area of 5.07 km². It is flat and only a...
, mole snakes were observed eating the eggs of Spheniscus demersus (African penguin), Larus hartlaubii (Harlaub's gull), and Numida meleagris (helmeted Guinea-fowl). Juveniles were observed eating Strongylopus grayii (clicking stream frogs).
The Mole snake is a nest predator of the Karoo prinia
Karoo Prinia
The Karoo Prinia or Spotted Prinia, Prinia maculosa, is a small passerine bird. This prinia is a southern African endemic resident breeder in Namibia, South Africa, Lesotho, and Swaziland....
. P. cana is one of at least six snake species which cause reproductive loss and decrease of nest success in the Karoo prinia.
Distribution and habitat
The range of P. cana encompasses most of southern Africa. P. cana is common in Kalahari Gemsbok National Park. It is widely distributed, with a range stretching from AngolaAngola
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city...
in the north to Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
in the east to South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
Mole snakes live in the abandoned burrows of other animals. They can be found in a variety of habitats, such as the scrublands of the South African Cape
Cape of Good Hope
The Cape of Good Hope is a rocky headland on the Atlantic coast of the Cape Peninsula, South Africa.There is a misconception that the Cape of Good Hope is the southern tip of Africa, because it was once believed to be the dividing point between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. In fact, the...
and the Highveld
Highveld
The Highveld is a high plateau region of inland South Africa which is largely home to the largest metropolitan area in the country, the Gauteng City Region, which accounts for one-third of South Africa's population.-Location and description:...
plateaux and grasslands. Mole snakes have also been found in mountainous and desert areas.