Reptiles Active during the day

Mole Snake

Pseudaspis cana

iNaturalist Wikipedia

The Mole Snake is Southern Africa's premier underground hunter, a non-venomous powerhouse that keeps rodent populations in check. With their distinctive pointed snouts and muscular bodies, they are a fascinating example of specialized evolution in the reptile world.

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0 Habitats

Quick Identification

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Size

Typically 1.4 to 2 metres (4.5 to 6.5 feet) in length; robust specimens can weigh over 1 kg (2.2 lbs)

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Colors

Adults vary from jet black, charcoal, and dark brown to light tan or brick red; juveniles have bold dark spots and zig-zags

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Key Features

Pointed, cone-shaped snout designed for digging
Small head that is not distinct from the thick, muscular neck
Smooth, shiny scales with a very robust, cylindrical body
Round pupils and a lack of heat-sensing pits

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 8 AM - 11 AM and 3 PM - 6 PM

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Season October-March (Southern Hemisphere Spring/Summer)

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Diet Primarily small mammals such as moles, rats, and gerbils. They also consume birds' eggs and nestlings, using powerful constriction to subdue prey.

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Habitat Sandy scrublands, grasslands, and fynbos, but frequently found in suburban gardens and agricultural fields.

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Where Does the Mole Snake Live?

Native to the vast landscapes of Southern and Eastern Africa, the Mole Snake thrives across a diverse range of environments. Its core territory stretches from the southern tip of South Africa through Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, extending northwards into parts of Mozambique, Angola, and even high-altitude regions of Kenya and Tanzania. These snakes are particularly fond of regions with sandy soils, which allow them to exhibit their remarkable burrowing abilities and hunt their namesake prey.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

10 Countries

5.2M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

ZA South Africa NA Namibia BW Botswana ZW Zimbabwe MZ Mozambique Angola KE Kenya TZ Tanzania Lesotho Eswatini

Elevation range

0 m1,000 m2,000 m4,000 m

Sea level – 2,000 m

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

The Mole Snake is a powerful, non-venomous constrictor that spends much of its life patrolling for rodents. Despite their lack of venom, they are known for their bold and defensive nature; when threatened, they will hiss loudly and can deliver a painful bite with their sharp, backwards-curving teeth. They are primarily diurnal, meaning they are active during the day, though they are often found underground in abandoned animal burrows.

In many Southern African suburbs, they are considered a 'gardener's friend.' They are highly efficient hunters that keep populations of destructive moles and rats in check. While they are solitary animals, they are frequently seen during the spring mating season when males become more active and mobile in their search for females. Unlike many other snakes, Mole Snakes are viviparous, giving birth to large litters of live young—sometimes as many as 30 to 50 at once.

photo_camera EverydayEarth exclusive

Camera Tips

To capture a Mole Snake on camera, placement is everything. These snakes are ground-dwellers that rarely climb, so your camera must be positioned no more than 10-15 centimeters (4-6 inches) off the ground. Aim the lens along 'natural highways' like the edges of garden walls, fence lines, or the transition zone between mown grass and thick brush. Since they are ectothermic (cold-blooded), they may not reliably trigger standard PIR motion sensors; setting your camera to a 'Time Lapse' mode with a 1-minute interval during daylight hours is a far more effective strategy for capturing their movement.

Look for active rodent burrows or mole mounds in your yard, as Mole Snakes frequent these areas to hunt. If you have a sandy patch of soil, check for thick, undulating tracks—a clear sign that a Mole Snake is nearby. They are most active on warm, sunny mornings after a period of rain, as this brings their prey to the surface. Position your camera facing north or south to avoid 'sun flare' on the lens during the peak morning and afternoon activity periods.

Avoid using bait, as these snakes hunt active, live prey through scent and vibration. Instead, focus on creating a 'funnel' using a fallen log or a row of bricks to guide the snake directly in front of the camera lens. Use a high-speed trigger setting if available, as despite their heavy build, they can move surprisingly quickly when crossing open ground. Because they are often quite large, ensure your camera has a wide enough field of view to capture the entire body length rather than just a blur of scales.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mole Snakes are non-venomous and generally harmless to humans, though they can be very defensive if handled. They have a powerful bite and sharp teeth, so it is best to observe them from a distance.

The easiest way is the head: a Mole Snake has a small, pointed head that blends into the neck, whereas a Cobra has a more distinct head and the ability to spread a hood. Mole Snakes also lack the Cobra's 'stand up' defensive posture.

They are diurnal, meaning they are most active during the day. You are most likely to see them basking or hunting in the mid-morning or late afternoon when temperatures are moderate.

The best way to attract them is to have a healthy ecosystem with natural prey like mice and moles. Avoid using rodent poisons, as these can kill the snakes that eat the poisoned rodents. Provide 'wild' corners in your garden with thick mulch or logs for cover.

Their diet consists almost entirely of small mammals. They are named for their preference for golden moles, but they also eat rats, mice, gerbils, and occasionally birds or eggs.

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