Yellow-bellied House Snake

A smallish snake averaging 40 cm with a maximum length of 76 cm. The Yellow-bellied House Snake is secretive and active at night. Individuals are found in termite mounds, under large rocks or may be seen crossing roads at night. It feeds on lizards and small rodents.

Full Name: Yellow-bellied House Snake (Lamprophis fuscus)

Other Names: Geelpenshuisslang

Classification: HARMLESS

Map indicating the distribution of the Yellow-bellied Snake in Southern Africa.

A smallish snake averaging 40 cm with a maximum length of 76 cm. The Yellow-bellied House Snake is secretive and active at night. Individuals are found in termite mounds, under large rocks or may be seen crossing roads at night. It feeds on lizards and small rodents.

Like other snakes of this genus, it is an egg-layer. It is easily confused with the Olive Snake (Lycodonomorphus inornatus) but has 19 rows of midbody scales as opposed to 21 – 25 in the Olive Snake. It is a harmless and docile snake and seldom attempts to bite but may musk if handled.

African Snakebite Institute