SNUGGLING SNAKES

Natal Green Snakes, locally known as the,
Water Snake, cuddling up and getting cosy
in their den at Storms River Mouth.
(Photo: Susan Kemp)

This pair of Natal Green Snakes in the top of a huge aloe plant was pointed out to me at Storms River Mouth in the Tsitsikamma National Park. The Natal Green Snake is indigenous to Tsitsikamma and is locally known as the Water Snake.

The aloe growth has been home to the Water Snakes for more than 10 years, says Elzette Bester, local SANParks Manager: People and Conservation. They have been breeding in the same spot for many years and SANParks staff have seen the young come and go.

It is a rare privilege for snakes to be left in peace. Water Snakes are harmless and this den of snakes are fortunate to have their home in a national park, where uninformed people won't hunt them down and kill them out of fear and ignorance.

Out if sight of the casual passer-by,
Water Snakes have been living undisturbed in a
growth of aloes at Storms River Mouth.
(Photo: Susan Kemp)

On the website www.mpushini-fauna.com, the Natal Green Snake is described as harmless to humans. The website says it reaches an average size of 75cm - 90cm, but may reach a length of 1,3m, describing it as being "a uniform bright green to turquoise-green above, with a paler greenish-white or light yellow belly. Juveniles have dark crossbars on the forebody. They are often misidentified as the Green Mamba".