Cape Wolf Snake
Name
Cape Wolf Snake [Lycophidion capense]
Class
Reptilia
Order
Squamata
Family
Colubridae
Subspecies
A number of sub-species exist across the range
Length_F
558 mm
Length_M
440 mm
Description
The Cape Wolf Snake is a small snake that grows larger in the southern part of its range. It has a flattened head. Colouration is usually uniform dark brown to black, sometimes with each scale white-tipped and a white- or black-speckled belly.
Distribution
The Cape Wolf Snake is found throughout most of the subcontinent, except the Namib Desert and most of the Cape. There are isolated records from the Southern Cape and the Southern Namib Desert and elsewhere, through Eastern Africa to Egypt.
Breeding
The female lays 3 - 9 eggs in early summer; they may hatch in only 51 days. Hatchlings measure about 120 mm.
Diet
Skinks and Lizards are commonly eaten and are bitten and constricted.
Field Notes
The Cape Wolf Snake is non-venomous.
