''Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia'', commonly known as the herald snake or the red-lipped snake, is a

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

of snake in the

family Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...

Colubridae. The species is

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found else ...

to Sub-Saharan Africa.

Description

''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 , but may reach up to 1 metre (39 inches) in total length.

Diet

''C. hotamboeia'' feeds on amphibians (including rain frogs), lizards, and other snakes (only in captivity).

Longevity

The red-lipped snake has been known to live for between 10 and 15 years.

Reproduction

Adult females of ''C. hotamboeia'' lay between 6 and 19 eggs in early summer."''Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia'' ". Biodiversity Explorer, the Web of Life in Southern Africa. http://www.biodiversityexplorer.org/reptiles/squamata/serpentes/colubridae/crotaphopeltis_hotamboeia.htm

Geographic range

Endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found else ...

to Sub-Saharan Africa, the herald snake is present in

Zambia Zambia (), officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country at the crossroads of Central, Southern and East Africa, although it is typically referred to as being in Southern Africa at its most central point. Its neighbours are t ...

, throughout

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the Atlantic Ocean, South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the ...

(except for the Karoo and Northern Cape) as well as Lesotho, Eswatini,

Zimbabwe Zimbabwe (), officially the Republic of Zimbabwe, is a landlocked country located in Southeast Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers, bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the south-west, Zambia to the north, and ...

Nigeria Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...

, southern and central

Mozambique Mozambique (), officially the Republic of Mozambique ( pt, Moçambique or , ; ny, Mozambiki; sw, Msumbiji; ts, Muzambhiki), is a country located in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi ...

, and northern

Botswana Botswana (, ), officially the Republic of Botswana ( tn, Lefatshe la Botswana, label= Setswana, ), is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. Botswana is topographically flat, with approximately 70 percent of its territory being the Kalaha ...

Habitat

The herald snake favors marshy areas in lowland forest, moist savanna, grasslands, and fynbos.

References

External links

* Crotaphopeltis Snakes of Africa Reptiles of Angola Reptiles of Botswana Reptiles of Cameroon Reptiles of the Central African Republic Reptiles of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Reptiles of Eswatini Reptiles of Ethiopia Reptiles of Gabon Reptiles of Kenya Reptiles of Lesotho Reptiles of Malawi Reptiles of Mozambique Reptiles of Namibia Reptiles of the Republic of the Congo Reptiles of Somalia Reptiles of South Africa Reptiles of Tanzania Reptiles of West Africa Reptiles of Zambia Taxa named by Josephus Nicolaus Laurenti Reptiles described in 1768 {{Colubrinae-stub