Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia, commonly known as the herald snake or the red-lipped snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa.

Description

Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia can be identified by its olive green or grey body, multiple white speckles, distinctive black head, and red, yellow, white, or black upper lip. It can grow to an average total length (including tail) of 70 cm (28 in), but may reach up to 1 metre (39 inches) in total length.

Diet

C. hotamboeia feeds on amphibians (including rain frogs), lizards, and other snakes (only in captivity).

Longevity

The red-lipped snake has been known to live for between 10 and 15 years.

Reproduction

Adult females of C. hotamboeia lay between 6 and 19 eggs in early summer.

Geographic range

Endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa, the herald snake is present in Zambia, throughout South Africa (except for the Karoo and Northern Cape) as well as Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, southern and central Mozambique, and northern Botswana.

Habitat

The herald snake favors marshy areas in lowland forest, moist savanna, grasslands, and fynbos.

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