Xairu Snakes

21/10/2026

An article written by !Xairu Snakes for the Swellendam Conservancy.

As the weather warms up and we head into summer, snakes become more active and we may start seeing them more often around our homes and gardens. Russel Perks and !Xairu Snakes have once again shared a great article with us on snake awareness and education. 🐍🌿 Please take a moment to read the a...

17/10/2026

A Western Natal Green snake (Philothamnus occidentalis) from Suurbraak, a harmless arboreal species and one of my favourite snakes found in the area.
They are excellent climbers but can be encountered on the ground and found along the banks of rivers and streams. Active mainly in daytime. Adults average 40-70cm with a maximum length of 1.2m.
They are sometimes confused with Boomslang (Dispholidus typus) however Boomslang in the Western Cape aren’t green and have keeled scales unlike the smooth scales of this Western Natal Green snake.

11/10/2026

Four years ago, I was introduced to some of our local snake species by snake relocation expert Geoff Burgess. Seeing the valuable work he was doing to protect snakes and safely relocate them when necessary inspired me to get involved.

Fast forward a few years, and we now have a wonderful group of passionate snake catchers working together under the banner of !Xairu Snakes, helping to educate our community and protect these beautiful animals.

Here I am getting up close with a beautiful Spotted Grass Snake. It’s been a wonderful journey so far, and I look forward to continuing to learn, share knowledge and help our local snakes whenever I can.

23/09/2026

A Herald / Red-lipped snake (Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia) from Oorkant River, Suurbraak, today.
A neighbour secured the snake in a container and called me to help identify and release it in a suitable area.
A few features that helped with the ID were its olive-green, white-speckled scales, dark temporal markings and, of course, the distinctive red lip. Although not all individuals have the red lip marking.
These mildly venomous, nocturnal snakes feed mainly on frogs and toads, so with spring here and plenty of frogs about, they’re becoming more active.

22/09/2026

Three Night adders in one day is certainly a reminder that the warmer season is here and snakes are becoming more active.
The first was found at a local guesthouse. The second turned up in my garden, basking partially on one of our dog beds and the third was found in a resident’s garden down the road.
Night adders are generally calm and will hiss and puff when they feel threatened, giving a clear warning to keep your distance. They have a distinctive dark, V-shaped marking on the head, which can help with identification. Their scales are moderately keeled, yet have a surprisingly smooth, satiny texture.
ID Common Night adder (Causus rhombeatus)
Other names: Rhombic Night adder, Gewone Nagadder,
Length: Adults average 30-60cm but can reach 1m.
Habitat: Favours damp localities
Diet: Mainly frogs and toads
Venom: Cytotoxic

Respect. Appreciate. Coexist.
!Xairu snakes

16/08/2026

A Puff adder (Bitis arietans) finding its way through brush to freedom after a relocation.

14/08/2026

A resident in Suurbraak found a Puff Adder basking beside an outdoor deck and contacted us to have it safely relocated.
As the days become warmer, snakes are becoming increasingly active after the cooler winter months. Warmer temperatures allow them to spend more time moving and basking, while an increase in prey activity provides more opportunities for them to feed. This seasonal change is already reflected in the growing number of snake relocation calls we are receiving.
The Puff Adder was safely relocated and released in a natural area, away from homes, with plenty of vegetation and water nearby.
As snake activity increases, remember to give snakes plenty of space and avoid attempting to handle or catch them.

ID Puff Adder (Bitis arietans)
Diet: Lizards, frogs, toads, birds, rodents and other small mammals
Habitat: a wide distribution in Southern Africa except in thick forests, true desert and high mountain tops.
Venom: Haemotoxic and Cytotoxic

14/08/2026

Thank you to the Swellendam Conservancy for providing a wonderful platform for local writers—both experienced and amateur—to share articles about nature and the environment.
It’s a great opportunity to share knowledge, raise awareness and help our community learn more about the natural world around us.

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25/07/2026

Sometimes, releasing a rescued snake isn’t the end of the story.
This baby Boomslang was safely relocated after being discovered in a classroom at Bontebok School. The school staff showed great care and carefully contained the snake and called us to assist, helping ensure the children and the snake remained safe.
While preparing to release it, I noticed an injury on its side so I took it to the Hermitage Vet for an assessment. The team there went above and beyond, making time in their busy day to examine the snake. Thankfully, the injury was only superficial, and after treatment with a disinfectant spray, it was given the all-clear for release.
The young Boomslang went back where it belongs - safely released into suitable habitat away from town.
A heartfelt thank you to the staff at Bontebok School and the incredible team at Hermitage Vet. Your compassion gave this little snake a second chance to be wild and free.

ID: Boomslang (Dispholidus typus)
Behaviour: mainly active during the day, agile climbers with excellent vision, they are shy snakes and tend to avoid people.
Features: keeled scales, large eyes with round pupils, juveniles have emerald green eyes. They are usually 30 cm to 1 m in length and can reach 2.1 m
Diet: chameleons, lizards, birds and rodents.
Venom: Haemotoxic