Lamprophiidae
Swazi Rock Snake
HarmlessInyoka swazicus
4 photographs of the Swazi Rock Snake. © Jimmy Whatmore.
The Swazi Rock Snake (Inyoka swazicus) is a non-venomous snake in the Lamprophiidae family, recorded in 2 countries.
- Family
- Lamprophiidae
About the Swazi Rock Snake
Inyoka is a monotypic genus of southern African snakes. The word "inyoka" means "snake" in Zulu, Xhosa, Swahili, Shona and other African languages. These snakes were previously grouped in the genus Lamprophis but were found to be closer related to Hormonotus; a substantial genetic divergence between them and a 1900 km gap between their geographic ranges meant a new genus was erected for Lamprophis swazicus, the sole species of the new genus.
Species
Inyoka swazicus is commonly known as the Swazi rock snake or Swaziland house snake. It is found in the eastern South Africa and in Eswatini. It inhabits rocky outcrops in grassland and savanna at altitudes of 1,400–1,900 m (4,600–6,200 ft) asl. Although listed as a "Lower Risk/Near Threatened" species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), it is only considered of "Least Concern" in the South African Conservation Assessment of Reptiles in view of its relatively wide distribution and low level of anthropogenic disturbance in its habitat.
Inyoka swazicus can grow to a maximum total length of 90 cm (35 in). The head is small, dorso-ventrally flattened, and broader than neck and distinct from it. Eyes are large, protruding, and with vertically elliptical pupil. They are non-venomous.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Swazi Rock Snake
- Is the Swazi Rock Snake venomous?
- No. The Swazi Rock Snake (Inyoka swazicus) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.
- Is the Swazi Rock Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Swazi Rock Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Swazi Rock Snake dangerous?
- The Swazi Rock Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Swazi Rock Snake live?
- The Swazi Rock Snake has verified records in 2 countries, including South Africa, Eswatini. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Lamprophiidae 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
- Lamprophiidae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Inyoka
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Inyoka swazicus
Keep learning
- 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.
- 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 Is a Snake? Anatomy and the BasicsA clear overview of what makes a snake a snake: limbless body plan, anatomy, evolution from lizards, species diversity, and why they are ectothermic.
- How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard and HomeA practical guide to keeping snakes out of your yard and home using habitat changes that work, plus what to skip and what to do if one shows up.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.