Elapidae
Eastern Shield-nose Snake
VenomousAspidelaps scutatus
6 photographs of the Eastern Shield-nose Snake. © louiskameel.
The Eastern Shield-nose Snake (Aspidelaps scutatus) is a venomous snake in the Elapidae family, recorded in 6 countries.
If you are bitten
This is a venomous snake. Treat any bite as a medical emergency: stay calm, keep the bitten limb still and roughly level with the heart, remove rings and tight clothing, and get to emergency care immediately. Do not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, apply ice, or try to suck out venom. Call your local emergency number or poison center.
- Family
- Elapidae
- Danger
- high
About the Eastern Shield-nose Snake
The shield-nosed cobra (Aspidelaps scutatus), also known commonly as the eastern shield-nose snake, is a species of venomous snake of the family Elapidae. The species is native to southern Africa. There are three recognized subspecies.
Description
Adults of Aspidelaps scutatus have an average snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 63.5 cm (25.0 in). The dorsal scales are arranged in 21–25 rows at midbody, and they are keeled on the posterior portion of the body.
Geographic range
The shield-nosed cobra is found in Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitat of Aspidelaps scutatus is sandy-soiled savanna, at altitudes of 90–1,400 m (300–4,590 ft).
In captivity
Aspidelaps scutatus can survive between 20 and 28 years in captivity, though this age is normally not attained in the wild due to predation, accidents, etc.
Venom
The species Aspidelaps scutatus is highly venomous, and its bite has caused at least one reported death of a human, despite its propensity to bite being somewhat low. The venom is highly neurotoxic. Symptoms include slurred speech, ptosis, and partial paralysis. No antivenin is available for this species. Any bite or spit-sprayed venom from any elapid snake should be treated as an urgent medical emergency.
Behavior
Aspidelaps scutatus is fossorial. A specialized skull structure, along with the uniquely large rostral scale, make it very effective at digging and tunneling. It is a nocturnal species.
Diet
Aspidelaps scutatus preys upon suitably sized amphibians, lizards, snakes, and mammals.
Reproduction
Aspidelaps scutatus is oviparous. Clutch size is 4–10 eggs, and the female may stay with her eggs, coiled around them.
Subspecies
Three subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.
Aspidelaps scutatus fulafulus (Bianconi, 1849)
Aspidelaps scutatus intermedius Broadley, 1968
Aspidelaps scutatus scutatus (A. Smith, 1849)
Nota bene: A trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Aspidelaps.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Eastern Shield-nose Snake
- Is the Eastern Shield-nose Snake venomous?
- Yes. The Eastern Shield-nose Snake (Aspidelaps scutatus) is venomous and belongs to the Elapidae family (cobra, mamba, coral or sea snake). Its bite is considered high risk to people. Treat any bite as a medical emergency.
- Is the Eastern Shield-nose Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Eastern Shield-nose Snake is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
- Is the Eastern Shield-nose Snake dangerous?
- This is a venomous snake. Treat any bite as a medical emergency: stay calm, keep the bitten limb still and roughly level with the heart, remove rings and tight clothing, and get to emergency care immediately. Do not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, apply ice, or try to suck out venom. Call your local emergency number or poison center.
- Where does the Eastern Shield-nose Snake live?
- The Eastern Shield-nose Snake has verified records in 6 countries, including South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- What does the Eastern Shield-nose Snake eat?
- Aspidelaps scutatus preys upon suitably sized amphibians, lizards, snakes, and mammals.
If you are bitten by the Eastern Shield-nose Snake
Do
- Get away from the snake and stay calm. Most bites worsen when people panic or try again to handle the snake.
- Call 911 or Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) right away. Antivenom works best when given early.
- Note the time of the bite and, from a safe distance, the snake's color and pattern, a phone photo is enough. Do not chase it.
- Keep the bitten limb still and at roughly heart level. Sit or lie down and limit movement.
- Remove rings, watches, and tight clothing near the bite before swelling starts.
- Gently wash the bite with soap and water and cover it with a clean, dry dressing.
Do not
- Do not cut the wound or try to suck out the venom.
- Do not apply a tourniquet or ice.
- Do not drink alcohol or caffeine.
- Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen, they can worsen bleeding. Acetaminophen is safer for pain.
- Do not try to catch or kill the snake. A dead snake can still bite by reflex.
First-aid guidance adapted from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC NIOSH), Venomous Snakes. Educational only; always follow the instructions of emergency responders.
Where it is found
More Elapidae snakes
Classification
How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.
- OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards
- Squamata
- FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits
- Elapidae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Aspidelaps
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Aspidelaps scutatus
Keep learning
- Are Snakes Dangerous? The Real Risk, in PerspectiveMost snakes are harmless and avoid people. Here is the honest picture of snakebite risk worldwide and how to lower your own.
- Snakebite First Aid: What to Do (and What Never to Do)A clear, CDC-based guide to snakebite first aid: the steps that help, the popular myths that hurt, and how to tell a serious bite from a minor one.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.