Reptiles Active at night

Red-lipped Snake

Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia

iNaturalist Wikipedia

The Red-lipped Snake is Africa's most famous garden 'herald,' known for its striking colorful lips and its feisty, cobra-like defensive posture.

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Quick Identification

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Size

45–70 cm (18–28 inches) on average, occasionally reaching up to 100 cm (39 inches)

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Colors

Dark olive, grey, or black body with fine white speckles; distinctive red, orange, or yellow upper lip; iridescent blue-black head; creamy-white belly

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Key Features

Bright red or orange upper labial scales ('lips')
Iridescent blackish head distinct from the neck
White speckles often arranged in faint cross-bars
Flattened head display when threatened

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active at night

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Peak hours 7 PM - 2 AM

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Season Year-round, most active during summer rainy seasons

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Diet Specially adapted to hunt amphibians, primarily frogs and toads. They use their sense of smell to track prey at night.

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Habitat Damp areas including suburban gardens, wetlands, marshes, and moist savannas.

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Where Does the Red-lipped Snake Live?

The Red-lipped Snake is a widespread species native to Sub-Saharan Africa. It can be found from the southern tip of South Africa, moving northwards through East Africa into Ethiopia, and across to West African nations like Nigeria and Ghana. It is exceptionally common in suburban environments across its range, provided there is enough moisture to support a healthy population of frogs.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

10 Countries

20M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

ZA South Africa ZW Zimbabwe KE Kenya TZ Tanzania NG Nigeria ZM Zambia BW Botswana MZ Mozambique NA Namibia ET Ethiopia

Elevation range

0 m1,000 m2,000 m4,000 m

Sea level – 2,000 m

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

The Red-lipped Snake, also known as the Herald Snake, is a common nocturnal reptile known for its impressive but largely harmless defensive display. When it feels threatened, it flattens its head into a triangular shape and strikes vigorously with its mouth open, mimicking a more dangerous venomous snake. Despite this feisty attitude, its venom is mild and generally has no effect on humans.

These snakes are solitary and terrestrial, spending their daylight hours hidden under rocks, logs, or garden compost heaps. They are highly active after dark, especially during or after rain when their primary prey is most active. They are excellent swimmers and are frequently found near water sources where amphibians congregate.

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Camera Tips

To capture a Red-lipped Snake on camera, focus your efforts on damp, low-lying areas. Placing a camera near a garden pond, a leaky outdoor tap, or a pile of damp leaf litter is highly effective, as these are prime hunting grounds for their amphibian prey. Because they are terrestrial, the camera should be mounted very low to the ground—ideally no more than 10 centimeters (4 inches) high—with a slight downward tilt.

Since these snakes are strictly nocturnal, infrared (IR) capability is essential. Set your camera to take short video clips (10–15 seconds) rather than still photos. This helps in identification, as you can see the snake's characteristic movement and the way it flicks its tongue. Use a high-sensitivity trigger setting, as cold-blooded reptiles have a low thermal signature and can be harder for PIR sensors to detect than warm-blooded mammals.

Be mindful of the 'white-out' effect on infrared cameras. The scales of a Red-lipped Snake can be quite iridescent and reflective; if the snake passes too close to the IR LEDs, the image may overexpose. To prevent this, place the camera about 1.5 to 2 meters away from a known 'runway' or pond edge where you expect them to pass. Monitoring during the rainy season will significantly increase your chances of a sighting.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Red-lipped Snake.

Rhombic Night Adder

The Night Adder has a distinct dark 'V' marking on its head and lacks the red or orange lip color.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Red-lipped Snakes are strictly nocturnal. They emerge after sunset to hunt and are most active during the first few hours of darkness, especially on warm, damp nights.

The best way to attract them is to create a habitat for frogs. A small garden pond, rock piles, and patches of thick mulch or leaf litter will provide both food and shelter for these snakes.

Their diet consists almost entirely of amphibians. They are particularly fond of toads and various species of frogs found in garden environments.

Yes, they are one of the most frequently encountered snakes in African suburban gardens. They adapt well to human presence as long as there is water and prey available.

While they flatten their heads into a triangular shape like a viper, look for the bright red or orange patches on the corners of the mouth and the iridescent, finely speckled dark body.

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