Brown House Snake

The brown house snake is one of the most familiar and widespread snakes in sub-Saharan Africa, thriving in close association with human habitation due to abundant rodent prey around buildings and farmland. It belongs to a group of African constrictors within the broader colubrid family.

It is entirely non-venomous and harmless to humans, relying solely on constriction to subdue its prey.

• Uniform brown, reddish-brown, or grayish-brown coloration, sometimes with faint darker striping
• Smooth, glossy scales
• Pale cream or yellowish stripes often running along the sides of the head through the eye
• Cylindrical, moderately stout body
• Round pupils
• Adults typically 60-100 cm long

Its plain brown coloration combined with pale head striping and frequent occurrence near buildings help distinguish it from venomous lookalikes.

Highly adaptable, found in savanna, grassland, rocky outcrops, farmland, and especially in and around human structures such as barns, sheds, and homes across much of sub-Saharan Africa. Tolerates a wide range of climates from arid to relatively moist regions.

Primarily nocturnal, hunting at night for rodents, which it locates using scent and subdues by constriction. Highly beneficial in controlling rodent populations near human dwellings. Reproduction is oviparous, with females capable of laying multiple clutches per year, each containing roughly 5-15 eggs.