Points

40

per confirmed sighting

ReptileConservation status: Least ConcernVery Rare to spot
reptiles • Colubridae

Common Egg-Eater.

C

Dasypeltis scabra

Category

reptiles

Family

Colubridae

Size

Adults average about 50 cm in length.

Points

40 pts

Log a sighting

A closer look

Field notes for spotting, identifying and understanding common egg-eater in its natural range.

Overview

How to identify it

Habitat

Occurs through much of Southern Africa except true desert and closed-canopy forest; it is especially abundant in thornveld and grassland and also climbs trees.

Diet

Feeds exclusively on birds’ eggs.

Behaviour

When to look

Nocturnal.

Where to see it

South Africa flagSouth AfricaNamibia flagNamibiaBotswana flagBotswanaZimbabwe flagZimbabweZambia flagZambiaMozambique flagMozambiqueEswatini flagEswatiniLesotho flagLesothoMalawi flagMalawiAngola flagAngola

Safety and etiquette

Observe from a safe distance and never handle or feed wildlife.

Verification and sources

1500 verified species across ten Southern African countries. Spotted an error? Tell us through community guidelines.