Brown House Snake

The Brown House Snake, true to its name, frequents human dwellings where it feeds largely on rodents and lizards.  It is completely harmless and relies on muscle power to constrict its prey. It is widespread in South Africa and very common in suburban gardens.

Full Name: Brown House Snake (Boaedon capensis)

Other Names: Bruin huisslang

Classification: HARMLESS

Map indicating the distribution of the Brown House Snake in Southern Africa.

The Brown House Snake, true to its name, frequents human dwellings where it feeds largely on rodents and lizards.  It is completely harmless and relies on muscle power to constrict its prey. It is widespread in South Africa and very common in suburban gardens.

This snake is active at night and is relatively slow-moving. Most individuals are medium to dark brown with a mother-of-pearl belly and two light lines on either side of the head – one from the nose through the top of the eye to the back of the head and the other from the back of the eye to the angle of the jaw. The Brown House Snake comes in a variety of shades of brown often with mottling of white along the neck.

African Snakebite Institute