Scientific Name : Lamprophis fuliginosus

Sex : undetermined

Length : 1 foot (Average 2 – 3 Feet – Females are larger)

Weight : .2 Ounces (Average 3 – 12 ounces – Females are heavier)

Longevity : Captive Born 2004 (Lifespan 10+ years)

Breeding: Egg layer, 2 – 30 young, every 60 – 90 days

Range: Africa south of the Saharan Desert

Habitat : Terrestrial and nocturnal resident of various habitats, excluding heavy forests and dry deserts, over its extremely wide range. Commonly found near human habitation, hence its common name.

Food and Hunting : Constrictors feeding mainly on small mammals, very aggressive feeders, they will also take birds and lizards. Juveniles are very hearty eaters feeding on anything that moves. In captivity they are fed mice appropriate to their age and size. They are primarily nocturnal, hunting at night when temperatures are cooler and prey more active.

Conservation : House Snakes are quite common throughout their range. Valued by villagers as an aid in keeping the vermin population in check. They are captive bred in the pet trade reducing the demand for wild caught specimens. They have been bred in various color forms. They are very prolific breeders, capable of producing clutches as often as every 90 days.

Captive Care : A great temperament and relative easy of care make this a suitable species for captivity. They are very aggressive feeders and should be housed singly to avoid cannibalism. Females should be allowed to mature at least 18 months before breeding and given resting periods between clutches.