Fauna Details
Common Name | Spotted Rock Snake, Spotted house snake |
Family | Lamprophiidae (Lamprophiid Snakes) |
Date Observed | 10-04-2023 |
Category | Reptiles |
---|---|
Catalogue No. | Z4013RG |
Breeding/ Spawning Time | Summer |
When Observed | DAYTIME |
Locations Observed | |
Estuary | |
Koppie | |
Nature Reserve | |
Small Holding | |
Village | Few |
Greater Rooiels |
Alopecion guttatum
Information
Spotted Rock Snake, Spotted house snake

Source: Wikipedia
The spotted house snake, (Alopecion guttatum), belongs to
the monotypic genus Alopecion.
It has unique patterning on its body, which is not easily
confused with other southern African snakes. Spotted house snakes are small and
slender, with the average length of 40–60 cm (16–24 in), and a maximum length
of 65 cm (26 in). The body is cream white to light brown, with round spots,
which are dark brown. Sometimes, the spots are connected. The eyes are
medium-sized and copper brown, with vertical pupils. The head is very flat and
broad, which is probably an adaptation for accessing narrow rock crevices.
Midbody scale rows range from 21 to 25, the anal shield is
entire, and the subcaudals (46–72) are paired. There are between 186 and 230
ventral scales, the ventral and dorsal scales are smooth and highly polished.
Spotted house snakes are habitat specialists, occurring in
rocky areas, often hiding under exfoliating rock flakes or between narrow
crevices. They are nocturnal and hunt for crevice-living lizards. In captivity,
they are known to take small rodents, as well.
Small clutches of between three and six eggs are laid in
summer. Eggs measure 38 by 20 mm (1.50 by 0.79 in).
The spotted house snake is widespread in the eastern parts
of South Africa. The distribution also extends up the West Coast into Namibia.
The spotted house snake is non-venomous.