The African House Snake is a relatively small species of snake that can be found throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa.
African House Snake Description
The African House snake is a relatively small species of snake that grows to a length of 2-4 feet. Females of this species are typically larger than males.
They have a slender build and can range in color from light brown to a darker chocolate coloration. They also have subtle stripes or blotches.
These stripes typically come in the form of thin white or cream stripes that run from the head all the way along the body.
Natural Habitat and Distribution
As its name suggests, the African House Snake can be found throughout much of Africa. They are one of the most common and widespread snakes on the continent with their range extending throughout most of sub-Saharan Africa.
These highly adaptable snakes can be found in and around human settlements where they take advantage of the increased rodent populations in these areas.
The more natural habitats that this snake will occupy include scrubland, woodland, savannahs and grassland.
The only real habitats in Africa that this snake does not occupy are true Deserts and mountain peaks, although they can be found at elevations of over 2,000m.
As these snakes can be found throughout much of Africa, they share some of their range with species such as the Angolan Python, the African Fat Tailed Gecko and the Berg Adder.
African House Snake as Pets
The African House Snake is a great option when it comes to pet snakes. They are very underestimated in the reptile hobby but may someday gain more popularity as more and more people are discovering how great these snakes truly are.
They generally have a very relaxed temperament and are easy to care for in captivity which makes them a good option for beginner snake keepers.
However, hatchlings and juveniles can be quite skittish and will sometimes bite so you will need to be patient and work with them until they get out of this stage.
Feeding an African House Snake
A hatchling African House Snake can be fed a pinkie mouse every 5-7 days. As the snake grows, you will need to increase the size of their meal.
A good rule of thumb is to feed your snake a rodent that is slightly smaller than the snake, at the snake’s largest point. This will ensure they are getting a large enough meal, without overfeeding them.
As your snake grows, you will need to increase the size of their meals. An adult can be fed an appropriately sized meal every 7-10 days.
African House Snake Enclosure
A small adult African House Snake can be kept in an enclosure measuring around 2ft x 1.5ft x 1.5ft. However, a larger specimen will need an enclosure measuring 3 foot long.
These snakes do well in a variety of different types of enclosures such as wood, glass or PVC. The key is to ensure there is plenty of ventilation and a secure lid as these snakes are escape artists.
A variety of substrates can be used in an African House Snake enclosure such as Aspen bedding, Orchid Bark or Coco Fibre.
Some people use newspaper or paper towel as these substrates are easy to keep clean. When soiled, they can simply be thrown out and replaced. You will also need at least 2 hides.
Light and Heat
As the African House Snake has a large distribution, they can tolerate a larger temperature range than some other species. However, ensuring they have access to adequate heat is vital.
These snakes do well when given a basking temperature of around 90F. This can be provided with an overhead heat bulb or ceramic heat emitter.
Alternatively, you can use a heat mat if this is your preferred method. The heat mat should cover roughly one third of the floor space of the enclosure.
The ambient temperature on the cool side of the enclosure should be around 80F. This can drop closer to 70F at night but the basking spot must remain hot.
As these snakes live close to the equator, the experience a day night cycle of around 12 hours each. This can easily be replicated in captivity by switching all the lights in the room off at night.
It is often debated whether UVB should be used in a snake enclosure. Snakes don’t require UVB to ‘metabolise’ vitamins and calcium like many lizards such as Bearded Dragons.
However, snakes that bask during the day may still benefit from UV radiation so you can certainly use it in your enclosure if you wish. Just ensure to turn the lights off at night.
However, the African House Snake is a nocturnal species so they will typically be hiding away during the day so the benefits they will get from the UVB will be minimal.
Handling an African House Snake
The African House Snake makes a great pet snake and is recommended as a beginner species, largely due to their calm temperament.
This calm temperament makes them a great species to handle as they are typically very relaxed and enjoy time out of their enclosure.
However, juveniles can be a bit skittish and nippy so you will need to work with them. With time and handling they will quickly grow out of this stage. This is common in many species including the Brazilian Rainbow Boa.
