Cape Wolf Snake Beautiful Black Tailed

Cape Wolf Snake Scientific name: Lycophidion capense

They Cape Wolf Snake are harmless to humans. Cape Wolf Snake adults average 30cm to 40cm but may reach a maximum length of 64cm. Females are substantially larger than males. The upper surface is ligt brown to dark brown, purplish brown or black. The dorsal scales are sometimes white edged, giving a speckled effect. The underside is usually white, sometimes with darker mottling and occasionally with an irregular dark band down the middle.

DistributionThey Cape Wolf Snake occur south of the Zambezi River in Southern Mozambique, throughout Zimbabwe, The old Transvaal, the Free State and throughout KZN and in parts of the Eastern Cape.


HabitatThey Cape Wolf Snake occur in lowland forest and fynbos to moist savanna, grassland and karoo scrub. They are a terrestrial, slow-moving constrictor that seldom attempts to bite. They are active at night when they hunt lizards, especially skinks and geckos. They are fond of damp localities and are often found under stones, logs, piles of grass, rubbish heaps or in deserted termite mounds. They have long, recurved teeth on both upper and lower jaws, which accounts for their common name. The teeth enable them to hold onto slippery prey. They flatten their entire body when under threat.

Cape Wolf Snake Food they prey mainly on lizards, including skinks and geckos. Snakes are also eaten.
 
Cape Wolf Snake Reproduction they are oviparous, laying 3 to 9 eggs in early summer. They young measure 12cm to 19cm.

Common names: Cape Wolf Snake; Gewone Wolfslang (Afr); Kaapse Wolfslang (Afr)

Posted in: Snakes