The brown house snake (Boaedon capensis) is a large house snake found throughout South Africa and, as its name suggests, quite common in South African homes. It has a uniform red-brown colour, and its head and scales make it easily identifiable.
Name
Brown House Snake [Boaedon capensis]
Appearance
The Brown House Snake is a large house snake that has a head and scales that is easily identifiable. It has a uniform red-brown colour that gets darker with the snake’s age with some individuals appearing almost black in colour. The Brown House Snake has light brown/ beige stripes on each side of its head.
Diet
The Brown House Snake has a diet that consists mainly of lizards and small rodents. It does not have any venom so it bites onto its prey, suffocating it before swallowing whole.
Distribution
The Brown House Snake has a wide area they can be found in all throughout South Africa. As the name suggests, the Brown House Snake is quite common in South African Homes. Brown House Snakes are harmless snakes and do not pose a threat to inhabitants.
Breeding
Females lay their eggs in the summer months. She lays a maximum of 16 eggs in a clutch and the eggs take up to 90 days to develop, with the younglings reaching a length of 260mm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the brown house snake venomous?
No — the brown house snake has no venom. It is a harmless snake that does not pose a threat to the people living in the South African homes where it is commonly found.
What does a brown house snake eat?
The brown house snake eats mainly lizards and small rodents. As it has no venom, it bites onto its prey and suffocates it before swallowing it whole.
How many eggs does a brown house snake lay?
Up to 16 eggs per clutch. Female brown house snakes lay their eggs in the summer months, the eggs take up to 90 days to develop, and the young reach a length of 260 mm.
Can a brown house snake be black?
Yes — the brown house snake’s uniform red-brown colour gets darker as the snake ages, and some individuals appear almost black.
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