Senegal is a semi-arid country situated at the western tip of Africa. The following is a list of the snakes that have been documented in Senegal. Due to a lack of biological surveys in this area, this list is likely to be incomplete.
General Information
editPhylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Suborder: Serpentes
Snakes are elongated, limbless, carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpentes.
Of the 3900 species from around 30 families of snakes known worldwide, some XX species from XX families have been documented in Senegal. These include the 4th largest and 2nd smallest species of snake known.
Most species of snake are nonvenomous and those that have venom use it primarily to kill and subdue prey rather than for self-defense. Some possess venom that is potent enough to cause painful injury or death to humans. Nonvenomous snakes either swallow prey alive or kill by constriction.
Family: Colubridae - Colubrids
editCommon name | Binomial | Threat to humans | Typical length | Image | Habitat |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smith's African Water Snake | Grayia smithii[1] | unknown, likely nonvenomous | Gallery Forests[1] |
The Elapids are a family of snakes characterized by their permanently erect fangs at the front of the mouth. Most elapids are venomous.
Common name | Binomial | Threat to humans | Typical length | Image | Habitat |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Forest Cobra | Naja melanoleuca[1] | highly venomous | 1.5 m. | Gallery Forests[1] | |
Black-necked spitting cobra | Naja nigricollis[1] | venomous, spitting | 1.2 m. | Tree and shrub savannah[1] |