Broadley (1959) re-described this species as follows: Data of unique specimen. Midbody scale rows 21; ventrals 184; anal entire; subcaudals 74; upper labials 8, the fourth and fifth entering the orbit; lower labials 8, the first four in contact with the anterior sublinguals; preocular 1; postocular 2; temporals 1+2. Tail length 24 of the total. Coloration: Above, grey, with black staggered cross-bars, broad on the neck becoming narrower and fading out soon after midbody. Head black, pre- and postoculars and the labials immediately below them white, a light cross band immediately behind the parietals. Chin white, ventrals and subcaudals black, edged with white. Size (NM/M 870) 345 (262+83)mm from Sebungwe.

No separate diagnostic description was provided. Refer to the morphological description.

Type locality: “Tette” [Mozambique] [Coronella semiornata PETERS 1854] Type locality: “Malindi” [Kenya] [Zamenis Fischeri PETERS 1879] Holotype: ZMB 9534 [Zamenis Fischeri PETERS 1879]

There are two recognised subspecies, namely Meizodon semiornatus semiornatus and M. s. tchadensis, the latter from Sudan and Chad (Branch, 1998).

Botswana, Cameroon, Chad, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

This species is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa, from South Africa northward to Somalia (Broadley 1990; Spawls et al., 2018; Chippaux and Jackson, 2019). Regionally it occurs from northeastern KwaZulu-Natal province, through Eswatini (Swaziland) to eastern Mpumalanga province and northeastern. Limpopo province (Branch, 1998; Swanepoel, 2010).

Snakes have long backbones with many articulated ribs that are used for locomotion. Engaging the muscles attached to these rib bones allows snakes move in a typical slither fashion, but it also enables them to swim and climb. They use an undulating, side-to-side movement ('S' pattern or serpentine) (Branch, 1998).

Carnivore - Anurophagy (frog-eating)

This species forages in thick vegetation along river courses for skinks, day geckos and frogs (Branch, 1998).

This species is oviparous, with females laying between 2-3 large, elongate eggs (Branch, 1998).

This snake is shy and diurnal, and typically shelters beneath or in hollow logs where 2-3 individuals can be found. It rarely bites and is harmless (Branch, 1998).

Savanna, Indian Ocean Coastal Belt