The name "skaapsteker" is derived from the belief that it bites and kills sheep, when in fact, it is incapable of killing anything that large. The confusion is caused by the fact that the Rhombic Skaapsteker or Spotted Skaapsteker is often found in grazing areas. The actual culprit when a sheep dies from snakebite is more than likely to be a cobra or rinkhals.
Other names: Afrikaans -- Gevlekte skaapsteker :
The Rhombic Skaapsteker is an active snake, which will make off at a speed when discovered. They are diurnal and will hunt such small creatures as frogs, lizards and mice.
Reproduction (Breeding): The female Rhombic Skaapsteker lays the eggs in a pile among dead leaves or in a hole, when they are partly incubated, after which she remains with the clutch for a further 5 to 6 weeks until the eggs hatch. Up to 30 eggs may be laid at one time. It is one of the few species to incubate its clutch of eggs -- the python being another.
Distribution (Range): Rhombic Skaapstekers are found in Gauteng; Orange Free State; Lesotho; KwZulu Natal; Western Cape and Eastern Cape. A relict population is found in the Northern Cape and Namibia.
Diet: small creatures as frogs, lizards and mice.
Size: The Rhombic Skaapsteker grows to a length of about 60 cm in the south, and up to about 90 cm in the eastern Cape and to the north.
Colour: Rhombic Skaapstekers are a greyish to yellowish brown or olive-brown colour, with three or four rows of dark, rhomboid spots down the back. In the eastern Cape and to the north, the colouring is darker and spots join to form continuous bands. Underparts are yellowish white, with darker markings. The top of the head is a uniform brown.
Most like: Rhombic Skaapstekers are most like the common egg-eater, but the latter has a forward-pointing, dark brown V-shape on top of the head, and strongly keeled scales compared with the skaapsteker's' smoother scales.
Habitat: The Rhombic Skaapsteker habitat is mainly open grassland and fynbos, from sea level to mountains, often found under rocks debris.
Best places to see the Rhombic Skaapsteker in Southern Africa:
• Kruger National Park
 Snakes of Southern Africa >> Printable Snake List <<
South African Snakes >> Printable Snake List <<
Wildlife - Fauna & Flora of Southern Africa
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