The life of a centipede-eater

Most snakes feed on vertebrates like lizards, birds, frogs and small mammals. The exception to this rule is the blackheaded centipede-eater. It’s actually quite a common snake, but due to its relatively small size (about 20 – 30 cm long) and burrowing lifestyle, people seldom see it. Its colour can vary from yellow brown to grey brown, with a distinctive black head and collar that extends below the “chin”. Other features, like a very cylindrical body, no discernible “neck” and a very pointed head are all adaptations for its life below ground. Centipede-eaters are burrowers who live life mostly in the soil underneath rocks, rotten logs or in disused termite mounds where several individuals can take refuge at a time. Some indiscriminate snake collectors with no conservation ethics will break open termite mounds looking for these and other snakes. This causes more ecological damage than one might think, as the termite mound – even when not in use – is a habitat for many other species of animals. Centipede-eaters are nocturnal and become very active after heavy rain. As the name suggests, their favourite prey animal is a juicy centipede. The snake takes hold of the centipede and starts “chewing” the length of its body, injecting venom along the way. The centipede is highly mobile and venomous itself – it’s certainly no pushover and can deliver a painful bite. If the snake is bitten, it will release the centipede, take a breather, then start “chewing” it again. A centipede-eater has a small fang just below the eye. Although this fang is capable of injecting venom, it’s harmless to humans. In fact, the fang is so small that in the event of someone being bitten, chances are the fang won’t even penetrate the skin. Still, don’t pick up any snake even if you think it’s harmless. Although slightly different, the not-so-harmless burrowing asp can look like a centipede-eater. A bite from an asp could send you to hospital.