UTUMI Biodiversity surveys, annexes, Tanzania. - Coastal Forests of ...

Python natalensis, Southern African Rock Python
Family Boidae, Pythons
CITES Appendix II. This species has only recently been recognized as separate from Python sebae.
Pythons are widely distributed in Tanzania, although often associated with water and damp or moist
areas. In some places, pythons are killed for their skins, which are usually sold to a middleman and
exported for future processing and eventually sold for handbags, shoes, etc.
Family Colubridae, Typical Snakes
Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia Herald or White-lipped Snake
A widely distributed species with no notable habitat restriction except that it is not usually found deep
inside forest.
Hemirrhagrrhis nototaenia Bark Snake
A widespread species of woodland, as its name suggests, extremely cryptic and usually found under the
loose bark of trees.
Philothamnus sp. Green Bush Snake
Several members of this genus are found in coastal forests.
Thelotornis capensis Vine Snake
This is a widespread species of the East African coast which also is found to western Tanzania and in
parts of northern Tanzania and southern Kenya.
Psammophis orientalis Eastern Stripe-bellied Sand Snake
A species largely limited in distribution to eastern Tanzania and Kenya. Spawls et. al. (2002) discuss
the complexities of names applied to this group of snakes; many older reference lists would refer this
form to Psammophis subtaeniantus.
Family Elapidae, cobras and mambas
Dendroaspis angusticeps Green Mamba
This is a widespread species, often found in coastal forest, but can survive in urban and peri-urban
settings.
Dendroaspis polylepis Black Mamba
This is typically a dry country species but does occur on the coast albeit not usually in forest. Local
residents noted its presence.
Naja nigricollis Black-necked Spitting Cobra
A widespread species found in open habitats, not a species of closed forest.
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