Snakes in Tanzania
A snake you may come across on safari in Tanzania is the largest in Africa, the Rock python, which feeds on prey as large as a small antelope. The commonest of the venomous snakes in Tanzania is the fearsome puff adder, often considered the most dangerous of African snakes, not because it is the most toxic or aggressive, but because its sluggish nature means it is more often disturbed. The Gabon viper, found in rainforest areas, is more venomous but is more placid in character and so less dangerous. A number of cobras and mambos are also present in Tanzania, along with the boomslang, said to be the most venomous of all the continent’s snakes, though it is extremely rare for it to attack a human. (I used the excellent Bradt guide to Tanzania as a source for this)
Photos of snakes in Tanzania a collection of photos from Tanzanian snakes
While snakes are a rarity to see, and snakes bites are extremely unlikely, snakes do tend to be on the list of concerns of every safari participant. Among the poisonous snakes of Tanzania, the most dangerous species are the puff adder, Gabon viper, black and green mambas, boomslang, and several cobras including the spitting cobra. These snakes account for several hundreds of reported envenomations each year, although the typical victim is hardly a tourist sitting on a safari vehicle.
The best course of actions to avoid dangerous encounters with poisonous snakes is constant awareness. When on foot, always scan the ground in front of and around your path. Never step into an area that you can’t check visually and never, EVER!, put your hands in places that you can’t see. All snakes love to avoid interaction with humans and, if made aware of our presence before feeling threatened or cornered, will retreat unnoticed. Keep your bag zips and tent nets closed at all times, when not in use, and never walk at night around the camp without the aid of bright flashlight.
Books about Tanzanian snakes
Pocket Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of East Africa (Recommended)
Venemous snakes of Tanzania
- Adenorhinos barbouri
- Atheris ceratophora
- Atheris hispida
- Atheris nitschei
- Atheris rungweensis
- Atractaspis aterrima
- Atractaspis bibronii
- Bitis arietans
- Bitis gabonica
- Bitis nasicornis
- Boiga blandingii
- Boulengerina annulata
- Causus defilippii
- Causus resimus
- Causus rhombeatus
- Dendroaspis angusticeps
- Dendroaspis polylepis
- Dispholidus typus
- Elapsoidea loveridgei
- Elapsoidea semiannulata
- Hottentotta minax
- Naja haje
- Naja melanoleuca
- Naja mossambica
- Naja nigricollis
- Naja pallida
- Notechis ater
- Pelamis platurus
- Proatheris superciliaris
- Thelotornis capensis
- Thelotornis kirtlandii
The snake park provides various activities, take a guided tour and learn about some of the most dangerous snakes in the world, from the Black and Green Mamba, Egyptian Cobra, Puff Adders and many more. Capture your special moment and hold a real live snake. Check out the 3m plus crocodiles at feeding time and touch a baby crocodile.
Meserani Snake Park provides a free medical clinic. All proceeds from the Maasai Cultural Museum go towards supplying medical equipment and anything else that is required to run the clinic. Over Landers help and donate supplies when passing through. Meserani’s medical clinic has approximately 1000 patients per month and growing. The clinic is expanding and is in the process of building a larger clinic and the old clinic will be turned into an orphanage.
Snakes & Lizards – Education in Tanzania & Kenya
Snakes and lizards are misunderstood and despised in many cultures around the world – and Africa is no exception. Much of this fear arises from a lack of knowledge and understanding about these animals, their value, and how to live with them.
