Spotted Rock Snake – Alopecion guttatum

Size:
Averaging 40-50cm  and may reach 70cm.

Colour:
Variable across its range where it may be feeble spotted or heavily spotted in the east of its range. A series of symmetrical  dark brown spots outlined in black across the dorsal. In Namaqualand they are light brown/tan.

Habitat:
Favouring rocking regions from dry arid areas in the Karoo and Namaqualand, costal montane regions in the Cape and montane ridges and Kloofs.

Field Notes:
The Spotted Rock Snake can be locally abundant where it occurs in suitable habitat. A beautifully marked snake favouring rocky area’s with a short flat head is perfectly adapted for residing in rock cracks, under rocks and rock fissures. Where it hunts lizards, geckos and known to take fledgling birds. Seldom seen due to their secretive nature they seldom attempt to bite but will hiss and coil repeatedly.

Alopecion guttatum

Spotted Rock Snake. From Spektakelpas, Northern Cape

Alopecion guttatum

Spotted Rock Snake. From Spektakelpas, Northern Cape

Alopecion guttatum

Spotted Rock Snake. From Elandsbaai, Western Cape.

Alopecion guttatum

Spotted Rock Snake. From Elandsbaai, Western Cape.

Alopecion guttatum

Spotted Rock Snake. From Outeniqua pass, Western Cape.

Alopecion guttatum

Spotted Rock Snake. From Outeniqua pass, Western Cape.

Alopecion guttatum

Spotted Rock Snake. From Matjiesvlei, Western Cape

Alopecion guttatum

Spotted Rock Snake. From Matjiesvlei, Western Cape

Alopecion guttatum

Spotted Rock Snake. From Merweville, Western Cape.

Alopecion guttatum

Spotted Rock Snake. From Merweville, Western Cape.

Alopecion guttatum

Spotted Rock Snake. From Forest Hills, Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Alopecion guttatum

Spotted Rock Snake. From Forest Hills, Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Alopecion guttatum

Spotted Rock Snake. From Pringle Bay, Western Cape.

Alopecion guttatum

Spotted Rock Snake. From Pringle Bay, Western Cape.

Alopecion guttatum

Spotted Rock Snake. From Everton, Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Alopecion guttatum

Spotted Rock Snake. From Everton, Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Alopecion guttatum

Spotted Rock Snake. From Spektakelpas, Northern Cape

Alopecion guttatum

Spotted Rock Snake. From Merweville, Western Cape.

Alopecion guttatum

Spotted Rock Snake. From Forest Hills, Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Alopecion guttatum

Spotted Rock Snake. From Forest Hills, Kwa-Zulu Natal.