The 10 Largest Snakes in Africa

Key Points:

• Africa’s biggest snakes include the black mamba, the African rock python, and the Egyptian cobra.
• Carpet vipers are one of the deadliest snakes in Africa.
• African rock pythons are strong constrictors, and the largest adults can weigh up to 200 pounds.

Snakes are one of the most feared reptiles in the world — they’re right up there with crocodiles and Komodo dragons for many people. However, most snakes aren’t aggressive and would rather hide than fight. And it’s not just little snakes that flee humans either, big snakes would rather be left alone too. Here, we’ll take a closer look at ten of the largest snakes in Africa. 

Some of the largest snakes in Africa inhabit the trees or the ground, some are venomous, and some are constrictors. And while most of these reptiles are antisocial and skittish, not often encountering people, there’s one snake on this list that’s not afraid to pick a fight.

10. Carpet Viper (Echis Pyramidum)

Carpet vipers grow to a maximum length of three feet. But despite their relatively small size, they’re responsible for more deaths than almost any other snake in Africa. Like other members of the viper family, carpet vipers have extremely potent venom. They have large, yellow eyes and sand-colored bodies marked by darker brown splotches.

9. Puff Adder (Bitis arietans)

It may not be one of the largest snakes in Africa, but the puff adder occasionally grows to an admirable six feet long. Most puff adders don’t exceed four feet though. Like the carpet viper, they’re highly venomous and responsible for many snakebites. Puff adders are heavy snakes, with diamond markings across their bodies.

8. Cape Cobra (Naja nivea)

One of the smaller members of the cobra family, the cape cobra grows up to six feet long. Like other species of cobra, they have wide neck hoods made of flattened ribs. They range in color from yellow to brown, often with darker-colored necks and hoods. Cape cobras live in southern Africa, where they eat just about anything they can find, even carrion.

7. Boomslang (Dispholidus typus)

These aren’t the largest snakes in Africa, but for tree-dwelling snakes, they’re very large. Boomslangs grow up to six feet long, with bright green coloration and large eyes. They’re extremely venomous, though bites to humans are rare. They can be found in sub-Saharan Africa in forested areas. Boomslangs’ diets consist primarily of other reptiles, birds, and bird eggs, as well as small mammals.

6. Gaboon Viper (Bitis gabonica)

These snakes may not be the longest in Africa, but they are some of the heaviest. Gaboon vipers reach a maximum length of around five feet but weigh upwards of 25 pounds. They’re entirely terrestrial, making their home in forested areas among leaf litter. Gaboon vipers have highly toxic venom, but bites to people rarely occur. They’re found in rainforests and wooded areas throughout much of Africa.

5. Black Necked Spitting Cobra (Naja nigricollis)

One of the largest snakes in Africa, the black necked spitting cobra can reach up to seven feet in length. Their backs and sides are entirely black in color, with yellow-orange undersides reaching to the neck. The neck, however, is entirely black, and the inside of the mouth is cottony white.

Black necked spitting cobras have a wide distribution across most of central Africa. They thrive in a variety of habitats ranging from rainforests to scrublands and semi-desert lands.

4. Green Mamba (Dendroaspis angusticeps)

The green mamba grows to a maximum length of around seven feet long. They’re exceptionally thin snakes that spend most of their time in the trees. In consequence, they’re rarely seen by humans until it’s too late to avoid a bite. As its name suggests, the green mamba has a bright green body, with no discernable markings or patterning.

Green mambas live in only a few areas of coastal southern and eastern Africa. They spend most of their lives in the trees.

3. Egyptian Cobra (Naja haje)

They may not be the biggest, but Egyptian cobras are certainly one of the largest snakes in Africa. Adults can reach over eight feet long, though the average length is closer to five feet, and weigh up to 20 pounds. They’re easily recognized by their dark brown or black color and wide hoods.

Egyptian cobras live in disjunctive areas in northern and central Africa. They’re common in agricultural fields and near sources of water. 

2. Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis)

One of Africa’s most famous, and feared, snakes, the black mamba can grow to nearly 15 feet. They have slender bodies, with narrow heads, black eyes, and gray to yellow or brown coloring. Black mambas actually get their name from the black coloring inside their mouths. 

These snakes live in sub-Saharan Africa and prefer arid habitats like scrublands or rocky hillsides. And though they don’t live very close to people, they are highly defensive, with the ability to stand up tall to deliver a venomous strike.

1. African Rock Python (Python sebae)

The largest snake in Africa is the African rock python. These hulking reptiles can reach 20 feet in length, though most don’t exceed 15 feet. As members of the python family, African rock pythons lack venom, relying instead on their heavy bodies and strong muscles to constrict prey when they need a meal. While most adults weigh 60-75 pounds, the largest weigh up to 200 pounds.

African rock pythons are yellow with dark brown blotches and long, pointed heads. They live primarily in sub-Saharan Africa. Their preferred habitats include grasslands, forested areas, savannas, and rocky or semi-arid regions. They’re most likely to be found around water sources like lakes, rivers, and marshes.

Summary of 10 Largest Snakes in Africa

Here’s a recap of the 10 biggest snake species found in Africa.

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