Clinical communication — Kliniese mededeling Post mortem identification of Kalicephalus colubri colubri (Nematoda: Diaphanocephalidae) in a captive Mole snake (Pseudaspis cana) in South Africa

INTRODUCTION The Mole snake (Pseudaspis cana) is a constrictor with a wide distribution throughout southern Africa. Its range extends northwards to Angola and eastwards to Kenya. In South Africa it inhabits a variety of habitats including sandy scrubland in the southwestern Cape, Highveld grassland as well as mountainous and desert regions. Living underground in abandoned burrows, its diet mainly consists of moles, rodents and other small mammals, and therefore it is extremely useful in the control of problem rodents. Although they are quite ferocious when captured and can inflict severe bites, Mole snakes soon settle down in captivity and are said to make good pets. This clinical communication illustrates some of the potential risks associated with maladaptation to captivity in recently captured free-ranging snakes and intends to draw the attention of exotic wildlife practitioners to the occurrence of Kalicephalus spp. in captive and free-ranging snakes in South Africa. Kalicephalus spp. infection in snakes may be difficult to diagnose as clinical signs such as lethargy and anorexia are non-specific. As with other nematode infections, ante mortem diagnosis depends on identification of adult parasites in regurgitated food or faeces, by stomach endoscopy, or identification of nematode eggs in stomach washings or faecal flotations. Microscopic examination of oesophageal swabs for eggs appears to give better results than cloacal swabs.