Cape wolf snake

Introduction: Unlike other families of snakes found the world over, wolf snakes can only be found in Africa. They have flattened heads, cylindrical bodies and small eyes with vertical pupils. Their popular name is derived from the presence of long and recurved front teeth in the upper and lower jaws (hence the 'wolf'). Saying that, they do not have venom glands and are harmless to humans.

The Cape Wolf snake (Lycophidion capensis) is a small snake that prefers a well-vegetated sort of habitat such as grassland and savannah.

Distribution: Central Namibia from Windhoek to Swakopmund with a range extending north through Etosha National Park and along the Zambezi Region (formerly the Caprivi Strip) to Victoria Falls, including Bwabwata National Park, Mahango National Park, Mudumu National Park and the northern extremes of Chobe National Park.

Diet: Cape skinks, thick-toed geckos.

Colouring: The back is a uniform dark brown to black with a white belly decorated with black specks.

Breeding: Females lay between 3 and 9 eggs in early summer, hatching after a period not exceeding 8 weeks.

Size: Max SVL male 440mm, female 558mm.