Also known as a “tabakrolletjie” in Afrikaans, this relatively common little snake can grow up to 43cm in length. They prefer damp localities near grassland, but can also be found in moist savannah, lowland forest, and fynbos.
Diurnal (active during the day), these guys can be found beneath almost any form of cover, including rocks, logs, grass tufts, and vegetation. Known as “The Gardener’s Friend”, they’re useful in keeping down snail populations.
When threatened they seldom bite, and prefer rolling up tightly into a spiral with their head concealed (like a roll of tobacco, hence the Afrikaans name “tabakrolletjie”), or using their powerful scent glands to give off a musky smell in self-defense.
They prey only on slugs and snails, which they locate by following slime trails. When it consuming a snail it’ll grasp the forepart, then slowly pull the rest of the body out of the shell.
Viviparous, they give live birth to 6-22 young in late summer.