We study the ecology and evolution of African snakes, develop the methods that make secretive species tractable, and work on the ecological drivers of snakebite in southern Africa.
Our research focuses on the ecology, behaviour and conservation of African snakes. We integrate field-based studies with museum collections and modern technology to build a comprehensive understanding of snake biology.
We investigate the fundamental ecological processes that shape snake communities, with particular emphasis on dietary ecology, movement patterns and habitat use. Our work spans detailed natural history studies of individual species through to comparative analyses across snake clades.
Through phylogenetic approaches and comparative studies, we explore how evolutionary history shapes ecological patterns in African snakes, including dietary specialisation, morphological adaptation and biogeographic distribution.
Much of what we do not know about snakes is a result of low detection probability. We build and test the methods that make secretive animals countable: camera traps for small ectotherms, radio telemetry, faecal DNA analysis, museum specimens, and community science records.
Snakes matter most to the people who live alongside them. We work on the ecological drivers of snakebite in southern Africa alongside health authorities, snake removal experts, and conservation organisations to reduce harm to people and to snakes.
Existing passive monitoring methods are poorly suited to detecting small ectothermic animals. We are developing a camera trap designed specifically for this group, eliminating the capture-related mortality and non-target bycatch inherent to physical trapping, along with the daily site visits it demands. The system will enable sustained monitoring of reptile populations in terrain that is difficult to access, supporting robust trend analysis over time. Prototypes will be tested across a range of environments to assess performance and refine the design for different deployment contexts. The project will also integrate machine learning for automated species identification from captured images, improving data processing efficiency. By making continuous, low-effort monitoring feasible, this technology aims to make undersampled groups tractable for biodiversity assessment and long-term trend analyses. This work is supported by the UWC Technology Transfer Office.
This project investigates the ecology of the mole snake (Pseudaspis cana) in the urban environment of Cape Town, South Africa, including a remote population on Robben Island. It aims to understand how these snakes have adapted to urbanisation, their habitat preferences, and their distribution relative to human populations. Additionally, the study will answer classical questions linked to island biogeography and investigate the genetic diversity of the Robben Island population in relation to mainland populations. A key component of the research is to investigate the diet of mole snakes in these contrasting habitats and their interactions with seabird colonies on Robben Island. This work is supported by the Leiden Conservation Foundation.
Understanding the diets of African snakes is a long-standing focus of our lab. Our research spans multiple timescales, from examining single populations across seasons, such as Naja nivea, to investigating the evolution of dietary traits within Elapidae. We have compiled dietary data from field studies, community science platforms, published records, museum specimens, and faecal DNA analyses. By integrating these data with morphological and phylogenetic analyses, we address questions about dietary specialisation and generalism across snake lineages. Additionally, we explore how environmental factors, prey availability, and morphological adaptations influence dietary choices, activity patterns, and overall fitness.
To date, our work has focused on the following lineages: Dispholidus typus (boomslang), Naja nivea (Cape cobra), Dasypeltis scabra (egg-eater), Boaedon capensis (brown house snake), Aparallactus capensis (centipede-eater), Colubrinae, Atractaspididae, Psammophiidae, and Elapidae. Planned research will expand to include Duberria lutrix (slug-eater) and Pseudaspis cana (mole snake).
We aim to understand the factors contributing to human-snake conflict in southern Africa, focusing on the ecological and social dynamics at play. This project is part of a larger motivation to understand snake movement ecology and behaviour. Collaborating with local health authorities, snake removal experts, and conservation organisations, we aim to gather data on snake behaviour and snakebite incidence. Ultimately, this research will contribute to reducing snakebite incidents while fostering a better understanding of the ecological role of snakes in the region.
This project aims to investigate the ecology of the Cape cobra (Naja nivea) in the Kalahari Desert, focusing on its habitat use, movement patterns, and dietary preferences. By employing radio telemetry and field observations, the study seeks to understand how these snakes utilise the arid environment and the challenges they face. The research will also explore the impact of environmental variables on their behaviour and survival strategies. Findings from this study will contribute to the broader knowledge of snake ecology and inform conservation strategies for Naja nivea and other reptile species in similar habitats.
We welcome enquiries from prospective postgraduate students interested in snake ecology, behaviour, evolution, and conservation.
Explore our current projects and recent publications to see whether your interests align with the lab’s research.
Your research interests, academic background, the degree you are considering, and how your interests connect with the lab’s work.
Bursary funding opportunities are limited within the lab. We require students to explore external sources of funding to support their studies. We encourage you to apply to multiple funding sources.
Entry into degree programmes is as follows — Postgraduate: NQF Level 7; Master’s: NQF Level 8; Doctoral: NQF Level 9. Applicants with qualifications obtained outside South Africa must provide a SAQA Evaluation Certificate as part of the formal application process.
If the Maritz Lab looks like a good fit, send us an introduction through the contact page. Contact us →