5 stunning purple snakes that look straight out of a fantasy novel
This article highlights five rare snake species that exhibit purple coloration, comparing their appearance to creatures found in fantasy novels. It provides brief biological descriptions of these reptiles, noting their habitats and venomous characteristics.
Why it matters
It serves as an educational piece on biodiversity and rare animal traits, appealing to nature enthusiasts and those interested in unique wildlife.
Snakes are among the lethal creatures found in the wild, and spotting one almost sends chills down a person’s spine. While these slithering reptiles are found in browns, blacks, greys and greens, there are some rare snakes that are found in stunning purple hues.While this might sound like those creatures from a fantasy novel, they are actually real!Some don it as a deep, glossy undertone across a dark body. Others make it visible only when light flashes on their flanks, their scales, or the way light catches them at a certain angle.Here are some mesmerising purple snakes that look straight out of a fantasy novel:Thumb Image: AI Generated (Canva)Native to South Africa's Mpumalanga and northern KwaZulu-Natal regions, as well as southern Mozambique, this small burrowing snake rarely grows past 33 cm. Its body is a uniform black with a subtle purplish sheen, set off by white to yellow flanks.
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