Penhill Snake Show

The Penhill Snake Show brings a licensed reptile handler onto the estate for a close-up, safety-focused look at some of the snakes that share the Western Cape with us. It’s a hands-on educational session for residents of all ages — the goal isn’t to scare, but to help people recognise a few of the species they might one day meet in a garden or on a walk along the river, and know what to do (and not do) if that happens. A few of the snakes featured on the day are introduced below.

Event details: date, time and venue to be confirmed — check back here or the main Events page for updates.

Cape Cobra Naja nivea

One of the most recognisable — and most dangerous — snakes in the region, and probably the species most likely to actually be encountered around Penhill. Colour varies widely, from pale yellow through orange-brown to almost black, but the raised hood when threatened is the giveaway. Highly venomous (potent neurotoxin) and responsible for more snakebite deaths in southern Africa than any other cobra species, but like most snakes it would rather flee than confront a person — bites happen when it’s cornered or stepped on.

Boomslang Dispholidus typus

A slender, large-eyed tree snake — males are usually vivid green, females a more camouflaged brown-olive, and both are excellent at blending into foliage, which is exactly where they spend most of their time. Its venom is a potent haemotoxin (affects blood clotting), but the boomslang is shy, rear-fanged, and needs to get a real bite in to inject it — it is not aggressive and will almost always retreat rather than strike.

Mamba Dendroaspis sp.

Southern Africa’s mambas — the black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) and green mamba (Dendroaspis angusticeps) — are among the continent’s most feared snakes, known for speed, potent neurotoxic venom, and, in the black mamba’s case, considerable length. Despite the name, the black mamba is actually grey-to-brown in colour, named instead for the ink-black interior of its mouth, displayed as a warning when threatened. Both species prefer to avoid confrontation and use speed to escape rather than attack.

Mambas are more commonly associated with KwaZulu-Natal, the Lowveld, and further north than the Western Cape itself — included here as part of the show’s broader look at southern Africa’s notable snakes, alongside the two truly local species above.

Photos from the show:

Children handling a large python at the Penhill Snake Show — Kids getting hands-on with one of the show’s big constrictors — a python, not one of the venomous locals profiled above.

Group holding a large python at the Penhill Snake Show, next to the Route 66 venue — Another group getting hands-on with the show’s python — again a constrictor, not one of the venomous locals profiled above.

Handler using a snake hook to manage a Cape Cobra at the Penhill Snake Show — The handler working the Cape Cobra with a hook and bucket, keeping a safe distance from the crowd.

A ball python draped around a visitor's neck at the Penhill Snake Show — Another of the show’s pythons, worn around a visitor’s neck — again a constrictor, not one of the venomous locals profiled above.

A sleeping child in a camp chair with a ball python coiled on his lap at the Penhill Snake Show — A very relaxed young visitor, fast asleep with one of the show’s ball pythons resting on his lap — another constrictor, not one of the venomous locals profiled above.

A girl holding a pastel ball python, with an older man and other children behind her, at the Penhill Snake Show — A young visitor holding one of the show’s pastel-morph ball pythons — another constrictor, not one of the venomous locals profiled above.

Handler holding up a slender, tan-and-orange blotched snake for the crowd at the Penhill Snake Show — The handler showing off another of the show’s snakes — slender build with a saddled tan/orange pattern, more consistent with a corn snake than any of the venomous locals profiled above. Let me know if this one should be identified differently.

Crowd watching the Penhill Snake Show under the trees — The audience settled in under the trees, taking in the show.

Handler addressing the crowd at the Penhill Snake Show — The handler addressing the crowd between snakes.

Crowd seated in camp chairs at the Penhill Snake Show — More of the crowd, camp chairs out, enjoying the show.