Fork-marked Sand Snake

Afrikaans name: Kaapse Sweepslang

Fork-marked Sand Snake

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Psammophis leightoni

The Fork-marked Sand Snake is also known as the Cape Whip Snake or Namib Sand (or Whip) Snake. It is found in the north-western region of South Africa as well as Botswana and Namibia. Although they are venemous it is not considered to be dangerous to humans.

They can reach a length of 100 cm but they are normally around 75 cm. They mainly feed on small rodents and lizards but do sometimes eat other snakes.

They seem to favour drier habitats such as semi-desert to desert but may also occur in savanna in some areas.

References and further reading

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 226

The Reptiles of the Kruger National Park - Author: U. de V. Pienaar, WD Haacke and NHG Jacobsen - Published: 1983 - Page: 162

Snakes of Africa - Author: R.M. Isemonger - Published: 1983 - Page: 174

Snakes of Africa - Author: R.M. Isemonger - Published: 1983 - Page: 175

Reptiles of Southern Africa - Author: Rod Patterson and Anothony Bannister - Published: 1987 - Page: 78

Bill Branchs Field Guide to the Snakes and Other Reptiles of Southern Africa - Author: Bill Branch - Published: 1988 - Page: 71

Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna - Author: Cliff & Suretha Dorse - Published: 2023 - Page: 108

A Guide to the Reptiles of Southern Africa - Author: Graham Alexander and Johan Marais - Published: 2007 - Page: 124

A Field Guide to the Snakes of Southern Africa - Author: V.F.M. Fitzsimmons - Published: 1970 - Page: 138

A Field Guide to the Snakes of Southern Africa - Author: V.F.M. Fitzsimmons - Published: 1970 - Page: 139

The Reptile Database

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