I was working in the garden again (hehee!) and decided to turn over the compost heap! This always a surprise to see how beautiful all the kitchen scraps and the garden cutting turn to this dark, rich compost! I also find that it is never smelly nor any flies! I have found the strangest creatures in it at times – a frog – a mouse nest – now, I found a slug eater. It rolled out like a tied up knot (I nearly missed it – it was very small). This seems to be a typical postition. My hubby is really good at identifying snakes and he immediately knew it was a slug eater – in afrikaans it is called a tabakrolletjie (a Tobacco Roll). A harmless and useful snake in the garden.
Slug Eater – Duberria lutrix – harmless/non-poisonous
Names in other languages:- Afrikaans: Slakvreter, tabakrolletjie
Average Length: 25 cm
Habits:- A small, slow moving, docile little snake. When caught, an unpleasant smelling secretion may be expelled from glands at the base of the tail. Useful in that it keeps down the snail population. It seldom attempts to bite but chooses to roll up tight into a spiral with head concealed, hence the Afrikaans name meaning “Tobacco Roll”.
Food:- Slugs and snails.
Reproduction: Viviparous. Produce 6-22 young, born in late summer
Enemies: Predatory birds and other snakes.
Habitat: Grasslands, moist savanna, lowland forest and fynbos. In my case, the compost heap!
5 replies on “Snake in the compost heap!”
Hi Barbie – you know I’m terrified of snakes. I find it difficult to look at this photo.
Not terrified, I’ll hold it. But on my face? No, I’m screaming with you.
Shame – sorry. Hannes loves the dramatic 🙂
Just once, I watched a life and death struggle, between the little snake and a snail who didn’t want to be pulled out of his shell, and eaten.
That would have been so interesting to see. My Hubby loves snakes! I have learnt to respect them. Thanks for that!