Aurora house snake

Distribution

This species is found in South Africa, the southern Cape Province, from the Cape Peninsula, east and north to Natal, Lesotho, Orange Free State, Gauteng, and Swaziland. It is a terrestrial snake that favours grasslands and forested coastal areas, sometimes in close proximity to people as is suggested by the common name. It is less common than some other species of house snakes and is seldom seen in the pet trade.

General

The snake can achieve a maximum length of 90 cm, but averages 45–60 cm. The immature snake has a distinctive orange-brown stripe running the length of its back, with a dorsal ground colour of olive green, which darkens as it gets older. Is active at night (nocturnal); its diet consists of rodents, lizards, and frogs. The female lays eggs in cluches of eight to 12, with hatchlings averaging 20 cm.