List of Madagascar snakes species
Madagascar is known for its incredible biodiversity, with a large number of
endemic species that can only be found on the island. This includes a wide
variety of plants and animals, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth.
In fact, more than 90% of Madagascar's reptiles, amphibians, and mammals are
endemic to the island.
During my two wildlife expeditions in Madagascar, I had the incredible opportunity to observe and photograph the endemic snake species of the region. I have compiled a list of these species, organized alphabetically by scientific name and categorized by the specific locations where I captured their images. If you notice any mistakes, please do not hesitate to contact me. For further reference, I have also created a gallery titled
Snakes of Madagascar which contains all of my snake photos from Madagascar.
[Mapa SmugMug/GPX: Show species by place on map]
Index by scientific name
This non-venomous arboreal constrictor is native to the forests of Madagascar and typically reaches 1.5 to 2 meters in length. It possesses heat-sensitive pits between its labial scales, which help it locate warm-blooded prey such as lemurs, bats, and birds at night. Females give birth to up to a dozen live young, which are born bright red to deter predators and hunt in tree canopies before turning green or brown as adults.
Endemic to the dry regions of southern and southwestern Madagascar, this non-venomous constrictor typically grows to 1.5–2 meters in length. Its intricate pattern of brown, tan, and black blotches provides effective camouflage among the fallen leaves of dry deciduous forests. Unlike most reptiles that lay eggs, Acrantophis dumerili is ovoviviparous, giving birth to live young.
The largest of Madagascar's three hognose species, this robust snake can reach lengths of up to 1.8 meters and features striking black and yellow coloration. It uses its characteristically upturned snout to dig up buried prey, including reptile eggs, amphibians, and small mammals. While it is rear-fanged and mildly venomous, its bite is not medically significant to humans.
Widespread across western and southern Madagascar, this medium-sized terrestrial snake typically reaches around 1 to 1.2 meters in length. It has a uniform tan or yellowish-brown body and uses its pointed, upturned rostral scale to excavate lizards and reptile eggs from sandy soils. Like other members of its genus, it is diurnal and mildly rear-fanged.
Common throughout the island, this nocturnal, rear-fanged snake is named for its vertically elliptical pupils. It exhibits variable coloration—ranging from grey and brown to yellow or orange—and hunts frogs, chameleons, and small rodents both on the ground and in low vegetation. Although mildly venomous to subdue its prey, its bite generally causes only localized swelling in humans.
Restricted to the arid spiny forests and dry scrublands of southern and southwestern Madagascar, this nocturnal species is closely related to M. colubrinus. It is a terrestrial and semi-arboreal predator that relies on mild venom delivered via enlarged rear fangs to immobilize lizards and frogs. Habitat degradation in southern Madagascar poses a localized threat to its populations, though it remains adaptable across dry habitats.
One of the most abundant snakes in central, western, and southern Madagascar, this diurnal species belongs to the family Psammophiidae. Growing to around 75–80 cm, it shows marked regional color variation, often featuring a distinctive zig-zag or dark vertebral stripe along its back. It is an active, fast-moving hunter that preys mainly on lizards and frogs in dry forests and degraded grasslands.
Endemic to the humid rainforests of eastern Madagascar, this diurnal snake is frequently found near streams, marshes, and forest edges. It is distinguished from related species by subtle differences in its lateral striping and scale counts, feeding predominantly on frogs and tadpoles. Because it relies on intact rainforest habitats, it is sensitive to deforestation along Madagascar's eastern escarpment.
Widespread across Madagascar, this semi-aquatic, diurnal snake is easily identified by the two bright white or yellowish stripes running along the sides of its dark body. It inhabits rice paddies, marshes, and slow-moving rivers, where it actively hunts amphibians and small fish. It is completely harmless to humans and often basks on rocks or low vegetation near water.
Found throughout Madagascar, this slender, fast-moving diurnal snake inhabits dry forests, savannas, and wetland edges. It reaches about 1.1 meters in length and is easily recognized by the dark brown body with pale yellowish longitudinal stripes running down its flanks. The species is harmless to humans and feeds primarily on small lizards and frogs.
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