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Description
Lamprophis fuliginosus is a highly variable snake. In its normal state it is a basically solid colored animal with color variation from light tan to a dark brown. Over the years many fanciers have color and pattern bred these animals to produce reds, cinnamons, blacks, greens, tan and normal brown of varying degrees. As far as patterned animals we have also seen white sided & lace in all the color morphs. Additionally albino’s are being produced in normal albino, lace and white sided variations. Undersides of these snakes are all pure white and in great contrast to the upper portions of the body. The scalation is highly iridescence and rivals that of the rainbow boa (epicrates cenchria).
Most Lamprophis fuliginosus have a distinct light yellow contrasting stripe on each side of the head from the rostrum to the back of the head. The presence or absence of this stripe is not an indication of geographic origin and has been falsely used to differentiate different populations.
Vertical Pupils give the house snake a very unique appearance also.
Habitat
This snake gets its common name from the fact that it is commonly found around human dwellings. They feed on the rodents commonly associated with such dwellings in the range. It should be noted though that this species is not restricted to these areas and can be found in most types of terrain other than true deserts and heavily forested areas that for the most part are apparently avoided.
Adult size
African House Snakes are highly sexually dimorphic in size. Females attain larger adult size than males. Adult male L. fuliginosus rarely exceed 3 feet in length with the average being in the 18 – 24” range. Adult females can exceed 4 feet, but on average a five year old healthy adult female will be in the 30 – 36” size range.
These are a slender snake that never attains the girth of some of the more commonly kept species such as king snakes and milk snakes.
Feeding
House snakes are fed like any basic colubrid. Appropriately sized rodents on a once per week regimen is sufficient to induce maximum growth and condition. Neonates will take live newborn pink mice as a first meal even though they appear to be much to small to take this size prey. Switching neonates that have been well started on live pinks to frozen thawed has never been a problem with the F/T being offered on forceps as they have a voracious feeding response.
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