Lake Erie Water Snake Endangered Habitats

Lake Erie Water Snake Scientific Name: Nerodia sipedon insularum

Lake Erie Water Snake a subspecies of the Northern Water Snake found only on islands in western Lake Erie. It is typically grayish with a reduced pattern, and is designated as endangered. The Lake Erie water snake is federally listed as a threatened species. Threatened species are animals and plants that are likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future. Endangered species are animals and plants that are in danger of becoming extinct. Identifying, protecting, and restoring endangered and threatened species is the primary objective of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s endangered species program.

Lake Erie water snakes are not poisonous. But they will protect themselves and may bite if cornered. Treat them with respect, like any wild animal. Island residents can carefully remove the water snakes from yards, boats, and buildings provided they do not hurt the snakes.

Adult Lake Erie water snakes are uniform gray in color or have incomplete band patterns. They resemble the closely related northern water snake (Nerodia sipedon sipedon), but often lack the body markings, or have only a pale version of those patterns. Lake Erie water snakes grow to 1 1/2 to 3 1/2 feet in length. They are not poisonous.

Reproduction: Young snakes are born mid-August through September. The average litter size is 23 young.

Feeding Habits: The snakes feed on fish and amphibians. The snakes live on the cliffs and rocky shorelines of limestone islands.

Range: Lake Erie water snakes live on a group of limestone islands in western Lake Erie that are located more than one mile from the Ohio and Canada mainlands. All Lake Erie water snakes found on those islands are protected under the Endangered Species Act. Water snakes on the Ohio mainland, Mouse Island, and Johnson’s Island are not protected under the Endangered Species Act.

Lake Erie water snakes have also declined because of destruction of their shoreline habitat by development and other shoreline alterations. The Lake Erie water snake was added to the U.S. List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants and receives the protections provided by the Endangered Species Act. As a threatened species, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must develop a recovery plan that describes actions needed to help the snake survive.

Researchers are studying the Lake Erie water snake to find the best way to manage for the snake and its habitat. Habitat Protection where possible, the snake’s habitat will be protected and improved. Community Involvement  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service personnel are working with local communities to develop programs that benefit both the community and the snake. Learn more about the Lake Erie water snake and other endangered and threatened species. Understand how the destruction of habitat leads to loss of endangered and threatened species and our nation's plant and animal diversity. Tell others about what you have learned.

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Northern Water Snake Vivid Pattern Markings

Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon)

Northern Water Snake Identification size 22" - 53". Ground color is brown or gray. Brown, reddish, or black bands mark the neck; further back, blotches alternate between the back and sides. On the back, the light spaces are much narrower than the bands or blotches. Half-moons or speckles may be present on belly. Older water snakes are much darker, usually brown or black with only faint remnants of pattern. Juveniles have a more vivid pattern, with darker markings on a lighter ground color. Scales are keeled; anal plate is divided. The Northern Water Snake can exhibit a mean disposition and can inflict a painful, non-venomous bite if handled, as well as a pungent musk. Where to find them: Perfers quiet waters, but it can be found in just about any river, stream, pond, lake, swamp, marsh, or bog. It can be seen swimming and foraging as well as basking on land.

When to find them: Active May through October.
Range: Entire state.

 Although the Northern Water Snake is a nonvenomous species, the darker specimens are
occasionally mistaken for the venomous Cottonmouth, which is not found in New Jersey. While
the more reddish-brown specimens in our area may superficially resemble Copperheads, the
Northern Water Snake has a head shape, pupil shape and pattern that are quite distinct from these
venomous snakes. Although water snakes are non venomous, they are quick to anger and should
be viewed from a distance.

Commonly seen along lakeshores and ponds, they spend their time near or in the water because that is where their food lives- fish and frogs! By eating diseased fish, which are easier to catch, they help to keep fish populations healthy. These snakes are large bodied with a blotched back, which fades to plain black or brown in some adults. They will bite if restrained or otherwise threatened in the wild, but they are not dangerous in any way. Water snakes are a protected species though not considered to be ‘at risk.’ They are found throughout southern Ontario, sometimes as far north as Sudbury.

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Eastern Milk Snake In Habitas Geographic Range

Eastern Milk Snake a slender species, with a beige background and brown to reddish blotches on the back. The belly has a black and white checkerboard pattern. They are often mistaken for rattlesnakes since they will vibrate their tail rapidly when threatened, which can produce a buzzing sound if it contacts the ground. Once believed to milk cows, hence the name, but like all snakes they only drink water! Farmers now realize the great benefit of this snake, as its primary diet is rodents. Milk snakes also prey on other snakes, including venomous species, as they are immune to the toxins. These snakes rarely exceed one metre in length. Milk snakes are found throughout southern Ontario.

The Eastern Milk Snake is one of many milk snakes in the Lampropeltis triangulum subspecies complex. It is one of the less strikingly colored forms, being overall gray to brown with darker middorsal and lateral blotches. Some specimens tend to have reddish blotches, and most resemble corn snakes or mole kingsnakes. This Eastern Milk Snake is often mistaken for the copperhead, and killed. General characteristics of milk snakes are small, narrow heads, smooth scales, undivided anal plate, and a tendency to eat both reptiles and rodents. The two recognized subspecies of L. triangulum found in North Carolina are the Eastern Milk Snake and the Scarlet Kingsnake. There is speculation that these two subspecies intergrade in the northeastern coastal plain of N.C. north to New Jersey. This intergrade is known as the Coastal Plain Milk Snake.

Natural History
Size: 24-36 in., record 52 in.
Habitat: Rocky areas, farmlands, and wooded areas. Often found under boards or flat
rocks.
Geographic Range: Eastern milk snakes are found throughout the eastern United States, while other subspecies of L. triangulum range throughout North and South America. In North Carolina, the eastern milk snake is primarily a species of the upper Piedmont and Mountains. The coastal plain milk snake intergrade is found in the northern coastal plain.
Abundance: Locally common during the months from April to August.
Longevity: In excess of 20 years, in captivity.

Behavior
As with most snakes, milk snakes can bite if provoked. Individual temperament varies. In spite of a popular myth, this snake does not milk cows. Many rural folk believe these snakes sneak up on bovines and steal the milk from their udders. They don’t.

Reproduction
• Strategy: Oviparity (Egg-laying)
• Time of Year: Mating occurs around May, eggs are laid around June or July, and hatching occurs around August.

Captive Husbandry

• Substrate: Newsprint is an adequate substrate.
• Temp./Humidity: Care should be taken to avoid rapid temperature fluctuations and extreme heat or cold. Do not allow the captive enclosure to remain damp for long periods of time.
• Food: Medium to large mice offered biweekly.
• H2O: A water bowl with tap water.

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Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake Dangerous Death

Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake habitat in Ontario’s only venomous species, these are small snakes (to about 70 cm) with large dark blotches down the back and smaller blotches on the sides. Easily recognizable by the segmented rattle on the tail, which is used to warn possible predators away if sitting still and relying on its camoflage doesn’t work. This Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake will bite in self-defense as a last resort, often not injecting venom. They are usually found around Georgian Bay, where wetlands and rocky areas are nearby.

Two small remnant populations are located near Windsor (around Ojibway Prairie) and Port Colbourne (in Wainfleet Bog). Massasaugas feed on mice, voles, and other small mammals. Like all rattlesnakes, massasaugas give birth to live young, which are born with fully functional venom glands. They are designated as threatened in Ontario, and are endangered throughout much of their range in the United States.

Fast Facts
There have only been two human deaths from rattlesnake bites in Ontario- bee stings and lightning strikes both kill more people every year. The last death in Ontario due to a bite from a massasauga was 40 years ago. On average, about four people are bitten by rattlesnakes in Ontario each year, usually on their feet. Please wear shoes and long pants when you’re in rattlesnake habitat. If you are bitten, don’t panic, but do go to the hospital.

Rattlesnake’s Range
Massasauga rattlesnakes have been wiped out from much of their historical range in Ontario. Recovery efforts are under way to help ensure their survival. Sadly, one snake species, the Timber Rattlesnake has been extirpated from Ontario. It used to be found along the Niagara escarpment. They were largely eliminated by the late 1800’s, and the last one was seen in 1941 near Niagara Falls.

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Queen Snake (Regina septemvittata) 4 Brown Stripes

This slender snake can reach lengths of 16-24 in. (41-61 cm) when fully grown. The dorsal (or upper) surface of a queen snake is a solid, grayish-brown color. A yellow band is present on the lower half of the body and extends from the snake’s chin to its tail. The belly of the snake is a white to yellow color with four characteristic stripes that make for easy identification. Of these four stripes, the two outer stripes are visibly thicker than the inner pair. Queen snakes have keeled scales and an anal plate that is divided.

Queen Snake rarely seen, this semi-aquatic snake is a very picky eater, preferring freshly moulted crayfish. Queen Snakes are light brown with a yellow stripe along each side and three to five narrow dark stripes along the back. The light coloured belly may also have four brown stripes. This threatened species is found along the shores of only a few rivers in southwestern Ontario. Shoreline modification and dam construction have eliminated much of its former habitat. Queen Snakes average about 50 cm in length, and like all of Ontario’s striped snakes, they give birth to live young.

Habitat this Queen Snake is highly aquatic and a very adept swimmer. Authorities report that swiftly flowing creeks, brooks and streams are the preferred habitat for queen snakes. But finding them along the edges of more slowly flowing rivers and streams, and sometimes lakes, is not uncommon in some states. The queen snake’s diet (see below) always keeps it close to water, where it can sometimes be seen with just its head above the surface of the water. On occasion, a lucky observer might find these snakes basking in high numbers along the banks of streams and even hanging from streamside vegetation (Golden, personal observation). Such aggregations are probably unlikely in New Jersey, however. The best strategy for finding this species in the state would be to look under flat rocks and other debris along the banks of the Delaware River and its tributaries.

Status and ConservationWith its selective diet, this species is uncommon in areas where crayfish are not abundant. In some areas, however, it can be locally abundant and easily observed. As of October 2001, the last recorded sighting of this species in New Jersey dated back to 1977. Queen snakes are also listed as endangered in the New York and are absent from all other northeastern states.

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Red-sided Garter Snake Most Beautiful Tailed

The range of the Red-sided Garter Snake extends farther north than any other reptile in the western hemisphere. The extremely large population of red-sided garter snakes located in central Manitoba, Canada, is one of the most adaptable reptile populations existing under extreme climatic conditions that border on the subarctic. This population is able to survive winter temperatures that reach −40°C and snow cover that may be continuous for up to 9 mo. The extreme seasonal variations in this region present a major evolutionary force that dictates the characteristics of the population. Therefore it is not surprising that the entire life history of the red-sided garter snake in Manitoba, including reproduction, must be extremely seasonal in nature.

The red-sided garter snake has a very restricted period of activity each year that lasts approximately 3 mo. During this brief period of activity, individual snakes are widely dispersed throughout the summer habitat. Migration from the summer feeding areas to hibernacula begins in early to mid-August. It has been reported that individual snakes return to and hibernate in the same den during successive years (Gregory 1971). Migration, estimated to cover distances as great as 17.7 km, intensifies throughout August and early September; and by mid-September, several thousand to more than 8000 animals can be found around the entrance of the dens. Once they reach the hibernaculum, snakes remain in or near the mouth of the den, are active on clear sunny days, and retreat underground during cloudy weather and at night. Snakes finally disappear underground when the ambient daytime temperature remains below 0°C.

Although the cues responsible for spring emergence are not fully understood, snakes reappear on the surface in late April or early May. Due to the highly unpredictable nature of the weather during the breeding season, snakes must actively thermoregulate to increase their body temperature. However, Shine et al. (2000a) recently reported that warm snakes were not more successful in mating or avoiding predation than cooler snakes. In fact, courting snakes spent little time actively thermoregulating, and body temperatures were quite variable despite opportunities for more precise control. Garter snakes were found to cool rapidly, and any benefit of higher body temperatures would only be temporary. Because of the high cost of precise thermoregulation to snakes, the males must be concerned with courtship rather than taking the time to bask and increase body temperature.

In the spring, male red-sided garter snakes emerge essentially en masse from the dens and wait for females to emerge individually or in small groups over the next several weeks (Crews and Garstka 1982). Once mated, the female leaves for the summer feeding areas while males remain at or near the den until all courtship has ended before they disperse in late May or early June. From dispersal in late spring to the return migration in late summer, life history observations are minimal due to the difficulty of locating animals in their summer habitat. However, available data indicate that snakes spend the summer around marshes, and stomach contents collected during this period have contained primarily anurans .

After emergence, males compete for females and will copulate numerous times during the 4- to 6-wk courtship season. Upon emergence from low temperature dormancy, female red-sided garter snakes can be identified by courting males through the detection of a nonvolatile attractiveness pheromone that is present on the dorsum of the female. Noble (1937) reported that female common garter snakes (Thamnophis s. sirtalis) are sexually attractive upon emergence from winter dormancy and that this attractiveness appears to be associated with chemical cues exuding through the skin.

Vagvolgyi and Halpern  suggest that males, in addition to recognizing females by a specific attractiveness pheromone, produce a male-identifying pheromone that communicates their male sex and acts as a signal to dissuade other males from courting the respective females. A male-identifying pheromone would have a beneficial role by reducing male-male courtship, which might limit their exposure to potential mates.

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Eastern Garter Snake, Red-sided Garter Snake and Butler’s Garter Snake

Eastern Garter Snake

Did you know that in Ontario, snakes are found as far north as James Bay??? Only Eastern Garter Snakes survive that far north here, but in western Canada the Red-sided Garter Snake is even found in the Northwest Territories, around Wood Buffalo National Park. They’re among the most coldhardy reptiles in the world! Since there are few suitable hibernation sites (called hibernacula) so far north, hundreds or even thousands of snakes may all share the same one for the winter.

Eastern Garter Snake probably the most commonly encountered snake. Named after the fancy striped garters historically worn by men, they are usually dark in colour with three yellowish stripes from head to tail, though the pattern may be faint. Reddish-orange markings along the sides are common. Extreme variations occur, such as melanism- an all black form found in some isolated populations. Excellent swimmers, these snakes will eat frogs and fish, as well as worms and sometimes mice. Most are 50-70 cm, but large individuals may be over one 1 m in length. They have scent glands that exude a strong musk if caught, and some individuals will bite.

Red-sided Garter Snake 

Red-sided Garter Snake virtually identical to the eastern garter snake, but found only in northwestern Ontario, close to the Manitoba border. Despite the name, not all of them have red on the sides. Ontario’s Snakes!!

Butler’s Garter Snake 

The Butler’s Garter Snake a smaller (less than 50 cm) but very similar snake to the eastern garter. It is found only in southwestern Ontario in certain locations, usually near wetlands. These garters have smaller heads, and the lateral stripes are on different scale rows (2, 3 and 4 instead of just 2 and 3, for those who like to count). Designated as a vulnerable species in Ontario. Butler’s Garter Snakes feed on worms and leeches.

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Common Egg-Eater Muscular Snakes

Common Egg-Eater (Dasypeltis Scabra)

They are Common Egg-Eater Snake harmless to humans. Adult Common Egg Eaters have an
average length of 45cm to 75cm, with a maximum length of 1,16m. The Common Egg Eaters light brown to grey-brown above, with a series of dark squarish blotches down the back and narrow dark bars down either side of the body. A Vshaped marking on nape is usually preceded by two similar, but narrower, markings on the head. The underside is white, sometimes with darker spots or flecks. The inside of the mouth is black. Uniform brown specimens with no markings have also been recorded.

Distribution
The Common Egg-Eater occur throughout South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

Habitat
The Common Egg-Eater a common snake throughout their distribution region except for the true desert and close-canopy forest areas. The  Common Egg-Eater  most abundant in dry thornveld and grassland, where they may be found in almost any situation. They are nocturnal, spending most of the day hiding beneath rocks or under loose bark. They frequent termite mounds, especially in winter when they hibernate. When they are agitated, they will coil and uncoil, allowing the rough side scales to rub against one another, causing a rasping sound that is similar to the hiss of some adders. It will also strike out with its mouth agape, exposing the dark lining of the mouth.

Common Egg-Eater

Dasypeltis Scabra Common Egg-Eater

Food
The Common Egg-Eater feed on birds' eggs. The egg is taken into the virtually toothless mouth and passed to the neck region. There it is cracked lengthwise by a series of bony projections that are part of the vertebrae. Muscular contractions then crush the egg and its contents are swallowed. The crushed shell is regurgitated in a neat boat-shaped package, the pieces of the shell being held together by the underlying membrane.

Reproduction
They are oviparous, laying 6 to 12 eggs in summer. The newly-hatched young measure 21cm to 26cm.

Common names Egg-Eater: Rhombus Egg-Eater; Gewone eiervreter

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Natal Black Snake Amazing Jet-Black Colour

Natal Black Snake (Macrolaps microlepidoyus)

The Natal Black Snake are mildly venomous, however bites are very rare. The Natal Black Snake adults average 60cm to 90cm in length and can reach a length of 1,2m. The Natal Black Snake colour is a uniform black to jet-black both above and below. The skin becomes a dull silvery grey when ready to slough.

Natal Black Snake Distribution
They are found along the East Coast of South Africa from the Eastern Cape to the Mozambique border.

Natal Black Snake Habits
The Natal Black Snake prefer damp localities in lowland forest and along streams in coastal bush. They are also found in urban gardens. They are usually found under rotting logs or under stones, in leaf litter, animal burrows and in stormwater drains. The Natal Black Snake can be seen moving about on warm overcast days, or on warm, damp nights. They are very docile and is very reluctant to bite. They are good swimmers and has been observed swimming in forest streams. They burrow through leaf-litter in search of food.

Natal Black Snake Food
They feed on frogs, especially Rain Frogs, legless lizards, snakes and small rodents. They grasp their prey, wrap a few coils around it and then chew on them to enable the venom to penetrate.

Natal Black Snake Reproduction
The Natal Black Snake are oviparous, laying 3 to 10 eggs in summer. The young measure 20 to 29cm in length at hatching.

Natal Black Snake; Natalse Swartslang, Macrolaps microlepidoyus

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Aparallactus Capensis (Black-headed Centipede Eater Snakes)

They Aparallactus Capensis-Black-headed Centipede Eater are mildly venomous. The Aparallactus Capensis venom is thought to have no effect on humans. Adults average 20cm to 30cm in length, but can exceed 40cm. They are yellowish or reddish brown on the upper side of the body. The head is black and is backed by a black collar that narrows on the sides of the neck. The under side is either white or diry-white.

Distribution
The Aparallactus Capensis occur in the Eastern Cape, the whole of KZN, the former Transvaal, Zimbabwe and southern Mozambique.

Habitat
The Aparallactus Capensis are commonly found in old termite mounds in lowland forest, moist savanna and grassland. It is Black-headed Centipede Eate nocturnal and is very active after rains. A single termite mound may house several individuals to which they are attracted by warmth, suitable shelter and food. They bite readily when handled but the teeth are minute and seldom pierce the skin. It is often caught by snake collectors but does not do well in captivity and soon starves to death.

Food
The Aparallactus Capensis feed on centipedes which they seize and then chew along the body until the venom takes effect. If the centipede bites the snake, it will release the prey and start chewing again. The centipede is swallowed headfirst.

Reproduction
The Aparallactus Capensis (Black-headed Centipede Eate) are oviparous, laying 2 to 4 elongate eggs during summer. The young measure 9cm to 12cm long and are replicas of the adults.

Tags: Aparallactus capensis Common names: Black-headed Centipede Eater; Cape Centipede Eater; Swartkop-honderdpootvreter

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Olive Grass Snake or Whip Snake (Psammophis mossambicus)

The Olive Grass or Whip Snake average adult length is 1m, but they can reach 1,8m. The Olive Grass or Whip Snake upper part of the body is a uniform olive brown or with black-edged scales on the back which form longitudinal dark lines. They often have scattered black scales on the neck and chin. The lips are pale with finely black-edged reddish-brown spots or blotches. The underside is white to yellowish, sometimes with darker spots or mottling.

Distribution Olive Grass or Whip Snake They occur in the north-eastern parts of KZN, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and the eastern and northern parts of Botswana and Namibia.

HabitatThey Whip Snake inhabit moist savanna and lowland forest. They are often found in the vicinity of water where they are fond of foraging in marshy areas. They are a robust, active and alert diurnal snake that hastens for cover when disturbed. They will remain hidden until flushed out. Like the Mamba, they lift the front third of the body. Well off the ground. They are nervous and retreats before one can approach closely. Although they are terrestrial, they may climb onto shrubs and bushes to bask in the sun. Many have truncated tails which are the result of encounters with predators.

Whip Snake Food they feed on lizards, small mammals, frogs and snakes (including the Black Mamba and Puff Adder). They also take small birds. Whip Snake Reproduction they are oviparous, laying 10 to 30 eggs in midsummer. The young are 27cm to 30cm.

Common names: Olive Grass Snake; Olive Whip Snake; Olyfsweepslang (Afr)

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Mole Snake The Beautiful African Snakes

Mole Snake Mole Snake Scientific name: Pseudaspis cana

Adult Mole Snakes have an average length of 1m to 1,4m, but are known to exceed 2m, especially in the Western Cape. Adults are usually light grey to light brown, dark brown, brick red and yellowish. Sometimes they have darker infusions underneath. Juveniles are marked differently and are usually light reddish-brown to greyish-brown with dark, usually zigzag, markings, light spots and mottling. The under side is white to yellowish, sometimes with darker infusions.

Distribution
They are Mole Snake found throughout South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and the souther part of Mozambique.

HabitatThey have Mole Snakes a variety if habitats ranging from mountainous regions to deserts. They are particularly common in sandy, scrub-covered and grassveld. Habitat They have a variety if habitats ranging from mountainous regions to deserts. They are particularly common in sandy, scrub-covered and grassveld wounds, which often leave permanent scars. They are not venomous, but can be quite vicious when threatened and will hiss and lunge forward with its mouth agape. Unfortunately, this useful snake is often mistaken for a cobra or mamba and is often killed on sight.

FoodThey feed on rats, moles, gerbils, small land mammals, birds and nestlings. Like all snakes, they will take eggs which are eaten whole. Juveniles feed mainly on lizards.
 
ReproductionThey are viviparous, giving birth to 25 to 50 young. Larger snakes may give birth to as many as 95 young. Newborn Mole Snake measure 20cm to 31cm.

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Common Slug Eater Unixue Snakes

Common Slug Eater, Scientific name: Duberria lutrix

Adults Common Slug Eater average 30cm to 35cm in length, but can reach a length of 43cm. A broad, distinct reddish brow band runs along the centre of the back, flanked by a greyish band on either side of body. They may also be broken black dorsolateral lines. These markings are unclear in specimens that are about to shed their skins. The underside is usually cream to yellowish white, edged with black or dark grey dotted lines, so there is a light band down the centre of the belly.

DistributionThey Common Slug Eater occur throughout the wetter, eastern parts of South Africa where there is a plentiful supply of slugs.


HabitatsThey Common Slug Eater are mainly a grassland inhabitant but also occur moist savanna, lowland forest and fynbos. They are a common, harmless species that favours damp localities where they prey on snails and slugs. They are terrestrial and diurnal. They can be found beneath any form of cover, including rocks, logs, grass tufts and vegetation. They are a useful snake in that they keep down the slug and snail populations in gardens. They seldom attempt to bite, preferring instead to roll up tightly into a spiral with its head concealed. It has powerful scent glands which may be used in self-defence.

FoodThey only prey on slugs and snails, which they locate by following the slime trail. When consuming a snail, they will grasp the fore part of the prey and pull the body out of its shell.
 
ReproductionThey are viviparous (giving live birth), giving birth in late summer to 6 to 22 young, depending on the size of the female. The young measure 8cm to 11cm.

Common names: Common Slug Eater; Brown Slug Eater; Gewone Slakvreter (Afr); Tabakrolletjie (Afr)

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Cape Wolf Snake Beautiful Black Tailed

Cape Wolf Snake Scientific name: Lycophidion capense

They Cape Wolf Snake are harmless to humans. Cape Wolf Snake adults average 30cm to 40cm but may reach a maximum length of 64cm. Females are substantially larger than males. The upper surface is ligt brown to dark brown, purplish brown or black. The dorsal scales are sometimes white edged, giving a speckled effect. The underside is usually white, sometimes with darker mottling and occasionally with an irregular dark band down the middle.

DistributionThey Cape Wolf Snake occur south of the Zambezi River in Southern Mozambique, throughout Zimbabwe, The old Transvaal, the Free State and throughout KZN and in parts of the Eastern Cape.


HabitatThey Cape Wolf Snake occur in lowland forest and fynbos to moist savanna, grassland and karoo scrub. They are a terrestrial, slow-moving constrictor that seldom attempts to bite. They are active at night when they hunt lizards, especially skinks and geckos. They are fond of damp localities and are often found under stones, logs, piles of grass, rubbish heaps or in deserted termite mounds. They have long, recurved teeth on both upper and lower jaws, which accounts for their common name. The teeth enable them to hold onto slippery prey. They flatten their entire body when under threat.

Cape Wolf Snake Food they prey mainly on lizards, including skinks and geckos. Snakes are also eaten.
 
Cape Wolf Snake Reproduction they are oviparous, laying 3 to 9 eggs in early summer. They young measure 12cm to 19cm.

Common names: Cape Wolf Snake; Gewone Wolfslang (Afr); Kaapse Wolfslang (Afr)

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Brown House Snake Non Venom

Brown House Snake Scientific name: Lamprophis capensis (formerly fuliginosus)


This Brown House snake is harmless to humans. The average length of adults is 60cm to 90cm, but those from KZN can reach 1,5m. The upper parts are a uniform light to reddish brown often with reddish blotches on the anterior half of the body or dark olive to black, especially in old specimens. There are two light stripes on either side of the head one running from the tip of the snout across the upper half of the eye and sometimes running along the anterior third of the body, while the other runs from the lower half of the eye to the angle of the mouth. This characteristic distinguishes the Brown House Snake from all all other South African snakes.  The underside is yellowish to mother-ofpearl white. Juveniles may have distinct spots or mottling dorsally.

 
Distribution They Brown House Snake occur throughout South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe a,d Mozambique south of the Zambezi River.
 
Habitat They are found almost everywhere. They are common around human dwellings. They are a common nocturnal constrictor that forages for rodents. They are ofeten found around houses but, due to their nocturnal habits, they are seldom seen, except during clean-up operations when they may be found in rubbish heaps, compost heaps or in tool sheds or outbuildings. They prey on rodents, which are secured with te sharp teeth and are then constricted. They have the ability to devour an entire rodent family in one session. They can bite if threatened. They may sham death when threatened.

Food
Their main diet is rodents and other small vertebrates, including bats, birds, lizards and skinks. Frogs are also sometimes eaten.
 
Reproduction
They are oviparous, laying 8 to 18 eggs in summer. The young measure 19cm to 26cm. Captive females have produced several batches of eggs per season.

Common names: Brown House Snake; Bruinhuisslang (Afr); Umzingandlu (Zulu)

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Brown Water Snake and Common Brown Water Snake

Common Brown Water Snake Scientific Name: Lycodonomorphus Rufulus

They Common Brown Water Snake are harmless to humans, but Zulu people traditionally believe them to be very dangerous. Adults average about 45cm to 60cm in length, seldom exceeding 85cm. Females are usually longer than males. Their colour is a uniform dark blackish above, while in others it is olive or light brown. The under parts are beautiful mother-of-pearl, pink or yellowish.

Common Brown Water Snake

  
Common Brown Water Snake Distribution They occur in most of the former Transvaal Province, the eastern Free State, the whole of KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, and down a coastal strip to the Western Cape.

Habitat Common Brown Water Snake They prefer the well-watered eastern parts of the country. They also prefer rivers, streams, vleis and damp areas in grasslands, moist savanna, lowland forest and fynbos. It is common throughout its range and can be found beneath rocks, logs and other debris. They are nocturnal and aquatic. They swim very well. They are usually confined to very damp localities near streams and rivers. They are mainly active at night, but they may hunt along shaded streams during the day.

Common Brown Water Snake

  
The Common Brown Water Snake Food they are a powerful constritor that feeds on frogs, tadpoles, small fish, and occasionally nestlings and rodents.

Common Brown Water Snake Reproduction they are oviparous, laying 6 to 23 eggs in mid-summer. The young measure 15cm to 22cm.

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Kenyan Sand Boa, Egyptian Sand Boa and East African Sand Boa

Kenyan Sand Boa, Egyptian Sand Boa East African Sand Boa Scientific Name: Eryx colubrinus
One species of boa, the Sand Boa, and two species of python have been recorded in The Gambia so far. The Sand Boa is a burrowing species that appears to be restricted to the north bank of the River Gambia in Bao Bolon Wetland Reserve, but may well turn out to be much more widespread. Pythons are medium to large snakes with small, smooth scales. They kill their prey by strangling or constricting it and do not carry venom. Females have the interesting habit of wrapping themselves around their eggs to keep them warm and protect them.

Both the Egyptian sand boa (Eryx colubrinus colubrinus) and the Kenyan sand boa (Eryx colubrinus loveridgei) are heavy body snakes with small heads, small eyes, and short tails. The belly and is white or cream colored in both subspecies. The Egyptian sand boa (Eryx colubrinus colubrinus) has a yellow coloration with dark brown splotches. The Kenyan sand boa (Eryx colubrinus loveridgei) has an orange coloration with dark brown splotches. Various color morphs are also now available including albino and axanthic.

Sand Boa Snakes Size: Females are generally larger than males reaching lengths of 26 to 32 inches and weighing up to two pounds. Some females have reached up to 40 inches in length. Males generally only reach 15 inches in length. Sand Boa Snakes Life span: These sand boas can quite easily live for more than 15 years. Sand Boa Snakes Native to: East Africa; Egypt south to Tanzania; southwest Somalia west to Kenya.

Housing Requirements
 
Enclosure: Adult female sand boas can be adequately kept in 20-gallon aquariums while males can be kept in 10-gallon aquariums. Plastic sweater boxes can also be used as well for these species if they are modified to provide adequate ventilation for the boa. Generally females do well with 1½ to 2½ square feet of floor space while males can be kept with only one square foot of floor space.
 
Temperature: Sand boas are extremely tolerant of large temperature extremes of 60° to 100° F. They are best kept however at temperatures of 80° to 85° F with a basking temperature of 90° to 95° F. Night temperatures can drop to as low as 75° to 77° F.

There has been no evidence to suggest that photoperiods affect the keeping of this species. If a regular photoperiod is provided it is recommended to use fluorescent bulbs in order to minimize the extra heat generated by incandescent bulbs.. Red basking bulbs or ceramic emitters can be used to generate basking spots. Under the tank heating pads can also be used to help raise the ambient temperature of the enclosure.

Substrate: Sand boas require three to five inches of substrate that allows them to burrow. Aspen or a sand/soil mix often works best to provide a suitable substrate for the boas to create their own burrows. If using a sand/soil mix a small amount of water added to the mix will help the formation of stable burrows.

Environment: This is a burrowing species and does not require any cage furniture to climb or hide boxes. Diet: Sand boas do well on a diet of rodents. Hatchlings can feed on pinky mice. Large adult females can feed on prey as large as small adult rats. Usually one appropriate sized prey item per week can be fed. During the winter months these sand boas will often stop feeding with no ill effects.

Maintenance: Fresh water should be offered daily. The enclosure should be spot cleaned as needed. Periodically, the enclosure should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. A 5% bleach solution makes an excellent disinfectant. Be sure to rinse the enclosure thoroughly after disinfecting. As always, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after handling your sand boa or any cage accessories.

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