Psammophis subtaeniatus Peters, 1882

Pietersen, Darren W., Pietersen, Errol W. & Conradie, Werner, 2017, Preliminary herpetological survey of Ngonye Falls and surrounding regions in south-western Zambia, Amphibian & Reptile Conservation (e 148) 11 (1), pp. 24-43 : 35

Psammophis subtaeniatus Peters, 1882

Western Stripe-bellied Sand Snake

Photograph: VMUS 158917

This diurnal species was often encountered at Ngonye Falls campsite, around the visitor’s center, at Park Headquarters, Maziba Bay, and vicinity. Individuals were identified by coloration (including presence of a broad yellow mid-ventral band flanked on each side by a dark longitudinal stripe) and having the preocular in contact with the frontal (well-separated in P. mossambicus ). This species has not previously been recorded from Western Province ( Broadley 1971 a, 2002; Broadley et al. 2003), having been recorded peripherally in Southern and Central Provinces, although more widespread in Eastern Province ( Broadley 1971 a, 2002). It is widespread in adjacent northern Namibia ( Branch 1998; Broadley 2002). These records extend the known distribution by about 110 km to the north-west.