Colubridae
Twig Snake
VenomousThelotornis capensis
6 photographs of the Twig Snake. © murray-yoko.
The Twig Snake (Thelotornis capensis) is a venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 12 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
- Colubridae
- Danger
- high
About the Twig Snake
The savanna vine snake (Thelotornis capensis), also known commonly, as the southern vine snake, is a species of highly venomous snake in the subfamily Colubrinae of the family Colubridae. There are two recognized subspecies.
Geographic distribution
Thelotornis capensis is found in southern Africa.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitats of Thelotornis capensis are forest, savanna, and shrubland.
Behavior
Thelotornis capensis is diurnal and semi-arboreal.
Description
Thelotornis capensis is slender and has a long tail. The longest museum specimen is a male with a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 106 cm (42 in), a tail 62 cm (24 in) long, and a combined total length of 168 cm (66 in).
Venom
Thelotornis capensis is venomous. Venom is delivered by large grooved teeth at the rear of the upper jaw. German herpetologist Robert Mertens died as the result of being bitten by this species.
Reproduction
Thelotornis capensis is oviparous. Clutch size is 4–13 eggs. The eggs are elongated and rather small, each measuring on average 36 mm (1.4 in) long and 16 mm (0.63 in) wide.
Subspecies
Two subspecies of Thelotornis capensis are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.
Thelotornis capensis capensis A. Smith, 1849
Thelotornis capensis oatesi (Günther, 1881)
Nota bene: A trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Thelotornis.
Etymology
The subspecific name, oatesi, honors British naturalist Frank Oates.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Twig Snake
- Is the Twig Snake venomous?
- Yes. The Twig Snake (Thelotornis capensis) is venomous and belongs to the Colubridae family (twig snake). Its bite is considered high risk to people. Treat any bite as a medical emergency.
- Is the Twig Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Twig Snake is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
- Is the Twig 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 Twig Snake live?
- The Twig Snake has verified records in 12 countries, including South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- Why is it called the Twig Snake?
- The subspecific name, oatesi, honors British naturalist Frank Oates.
If you are bitten by the Twig 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 Colubridae 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
- Colubridae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Thelotornis
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Thelotornis capensis
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.