Psammophylax multisquamis

Psammophylax multisquamis is a species of snake belonging to the family Psammophiidae. It is commonly known as the Kenyan striped staapsteker and is found in various parts of eastern Africa, including Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Rwanda. It typically resides in sandy, rocky, and grassy terrains with plenty of places to hide.

Nomenclature

The species was first described as Trimerorhinus tritaeniatus multisquamis by Arthur Loveridge in 1932 and transferred to Psammophylax by Laurent in 1956.
The genus name, Psammophylax, is derived from Greek, meaning "sand guard", while the species name, multisquamis, translates to "many scales."

Venom

The Kenyan striped skaapsteker possesses a very mild venom that poses little threat to humans. Bites from this species are rare and typically result in minimal symptoms, such as mild swelling.

Description

The Kenyan striped skaapsteker is a slender snake that can grow up to 1.4 meters in length. Its dark brown coloration typically includes darker longitudinal stripes running along its body, which aid in camouflage within its natural habitat.

Behavior

The Kenyan striped skaapsteker is a fast moving snake that will avoid people and hide if provoked. It does not usually bite, even as a last resort.