The Mole snake (Pseudaspis cana) is a non-venomous species of snake. It is native to much of southern Africa and is the only member of the genus Pseudaspis.
The Mole snake has a firm, tubular body, small head, and pointed snout. In mature individuals, the body is mostly one color and may vary from yellow to brown to grey, and in some cases, solid black. The young have dark markings and spots that are gradually lost as the individual ages. Color may be related to geography; in the south, most specimens are black, whereas specimens found in the northern part of their range are brown, reddish-brown, grey, or yellow.
Mole snakes are widely distributed from Angola in the north to Kenya in the east to South Africa. They are common in Kalahari Gemsbok National Park. These snakes live in a wide variety of habitats, such as the scrublands of the South African Cape and the Highveld plateaux, grasslands, and agricultural areas. They can also be found in mountainous and desert areas.
Mole snakes are solitary and spend most of their time hiding in the abandoned burrows of other animals. These are fast-moving active predators. They hunt mainly by day pursuing potential prey until they catch it. Molesnakes are considered harmless, though not venomous, they can cause severe bite wounds.
Mole snakes are carnivores and their primary prey is golden moles (hence the common name), rodents, and other small mammals. Their diet may also include the eggs of seafowl. Juveniles were observed eating Gray’s stream frogs.
The mating season of Mole snakes takes place in late spring (October). They are viviparous and females give birth to usually between 25 and 50 young, with as many as 95 possible. The young snakes are 20 to 30 cm in length at birth.
Mole snakes are not considered threatened at present but they are frequently persecuted and killed by people.
The IUCN Red List and other sources don’t provide the number of the Mole snake total population size. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List.
Due to their diet habits Mole snakes are considered useful in controlling the populations of rodents, especially in agricultural areas.
