Introduction: As the name suggests, the Kalahari Purple-Glossed snake (Amblyodipsas ventrimaculata) is found on mainly sandy soils associated with the Kalahari Desert. It is a small snake, with smooth scale and a bluntish snout.
Distribution: From Windhoek and the Khomas Hochland Highlands north through the western areas of Etosha National Park and the central and northern Kalahari Desert extending eastwards through Tsumkwe into Botswana.
Diet: Burrowing reptiles, skinks and garter snakes.
Breeding: Females may lay around 3 eggs.
Colouring: The back has a broad purple-brown to black dorsal stripe with yellow tipped scales. The belly is white.
Size: Max SVL male 305mm, female 445mm.