The Cape wolf snake (Lycophidion capense) is a species of oviparous,[1][2] nonvenomous snake which occurs over a wide area of Southern, Central, and East Africa.[1][3] Though docile and harmless, it may be confused with the very venomous stiletto snake.[4]
The species contains three subspecies, including the nominotypical subspecies, L. c. capense:[1]
Nota bene: A trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Lycophidion.
Adults regularly reach 40 cm in length,[4] but some grow to 64 cm. It has a flattened, tapering head and marbled eye. The brown or black lateral and dorsal scales are tipped white,[5] while the ventral scales are all-white. Long recurved fangs are present on the upper as well as lower jaws,[4] for which they are named.
They are widely distributed but prefer damp locations,[4] with lowland forest and fynbos being preferred habitats. They feed mostly on geckos and skinks which they bite and kill by constriction.[2] They are believed to reach an age of 15 to 20 years.[5]
The Cape wolf snake (Lycophidion capense) is a species of oviparous, nonvenomous snake which occurs over a wide area of Southern, Central, and East Africa. Though docile and harmless, it may be confused with the very venomous stiletto snake.
