African House Snake Care Sheet
Introduction
The African House Snake (Boaedon fuliginosus), also known as the Cape House Snake, is a small non-venomous snake native to sub-Saharan Africa. Known for their docile temperament and ease of care, they make excellent pets for both beginners and experienced keepers. Their adaptability to captive conditions, small size, and strong feeding response contribute to their popularity in the reptile trade.
Care sheets are only to be taken as guidelines. Just as with all animals, each reptile will have unique traits and personalities special to the individual animal that may require adaptation in their husbandry and care. The following care sheet will address basic requirements but as the primary caretaker of your pet, we encourage you to take notice of your pet's behaviours and preferences and make adjustments as they grow with you and your family. Please also keep in mind that unlike mammals, most reptiles change their behaviour according to seasonal weather changes even if you keep them indoors all year round. Most reptiles also change their behaviour according to their life stages and should not be expected to behave the same their whole life.
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Cheat Sheet
African House Snake
| Common name | African House Snake |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Boaedon fuliginosus |
| Natural location | Widespread Sub Sahara Africa |
| Habitat (wild) | Savannahs, Grasslands, Urban Communities |
| Captive enclosure | 5-10gal for hatchlings/juveniles, 20-40gal+ for adults |
| Substrate | Aspen, Cypress Mulch, Loose Bark, Compacted Soil Blends |
| Temperature tolerance | Nighttime: 70°F (21°C), Cooler: 75-85°F (24-29°C) |
| Basking temperature | 88-90°F (31-32°C) |
| UVB lighting | Optional. Not required but can be beneficial in small amounts |
| Humidity | Approx. 40%-60% |
| Average adult size | 2-3.5 feet |
| Captive lifespan | 15-20 years |
| Fun fact | Wild ones are often left on private property to control rodents |
Housing
Enclosure: Provide a secure enclosure with enough space for your House Snake to stretch out comfortably. A 5-10 gallon tank is suitable for juveniles, while adults will require a larger enclosure, such as a 20-40 gallon tank. Keep in mind that the larger the enclosure, the more you will have to heat and furnish it to provide adequate husbandry.
Substrate: A variety of substrates can be used, including aspen shavings, cypress mulch, or coconut husk, depending on the humidity requirements in your environment. We also find that this species does very well on slightly compacted soil blends such as Repti Soil.
Heating: African House Snakes thrive in a temperature gradient of 75-85°F (24-29°C), with a warm side maintained at around 88-90°F (31-32°C). These snakes can tolerate slight fluctuations in temperature but should not be exposed to prolonged cold conditions below 70°F (21°C). We recommend heat pads and radiant heat over heat lamps due to the high likelihood of heat lamps drying out the enclosure, making humidity very difficult to maintain. If you prefer to use heat lights, use dark heat lamps or infrared heat lamps only and ensure that you can maintain humidity.
Hide spots: This species loves having multiple hide spots in their enclosures. Hides should be snug, enclosed spaces where the snake can retreat and feel secure. Additional cover, such as cork bark or artificial plants, can enhance the enclosure's security and encourage natural behaviors. You may also want to provide a humid cave on the cooler end to assist with shedding.
Humidity: House Snakes prefer consistent moderate humidity levels of 40-60%. Ensure proper ventilation in the enclosure to prevent excessive moisture. A humidity box filled with damp sphagnum moss can be added, especially during shedding, to help maintain proper hydration.
Diet
Feeding: African House Snakes are enthusiastic feeders and readily accept frozen-thawed rodents. Hatchlings should be fed appropriately sized pinky mice every 5-7 days, while juveniles and adults can be fed every 7-10 days with increasing prey size. Prey should be roughly the same width as the snake's widest part. Overfeeding should be avoided, as obesity can lead to health issues. There is strong debate over feeding live versus frozen thawed and there are pros and cons to both. Nutritionally, one is not better than the other assuming you have acquired your feed from a healthy source. Never leave a live rodent unsupervised with your snake and never leave an uneaten frozen/thawed rodent to decompose overnight. To read more about feeding live versus frozen/thawed, please refer to Karen's Corner.
Water: Provide a water dish filled with fresh, clean water at all times. Ensure the water dish is large enough for your House Snake to soak in if desired.
Health & Maintenance
Hygiene: Your House Snake will only relieve itself once every 5-10 days on average. Over time, you will learn your snake's bathroom routines. Look out for it regularly and remove all excrements as soon as you see it to prevent the buildup of bacteria and parasites. Remove excrements, shed skin, and uneaten prey items promptly. We recommend a full substrate change once per season, 4 times a year. Wood and plant décor can be washed monthly with hot water and dish soap and put back into place.
Handling: African House Snakes are generally tolerant of handling but may be slightly flighty when young. Regular, gentle handling will help them become more accustomed to human interaction. Always support the snake's body and avoid sudden movements. Avoid handling during the shedding process and after feeding to minimize stress. Wash your hands before and after handling to prevent the spread of bacteria.
Behavioural observation: These snakes are inquisitive and active, especially at night. They tend to be very docile and are rarely ever seen trying to bite something that is not food. Signs of a healthy African House Snake include alertness, smooth shedding, regular feeding, and consistent weight gain. If the snake refuses food, becomes lethargic, or displays unusual behaviors such as excessive hiding, open mouth breathing, or regurgitation, it may indicate a health issue requiring veterinary attention.
Quarantine: Quarantine any new additions to your reptile collection to prevent the spread of diseases.
Common Questions
Are African house snakes good for beginners?
Yes, and this sheet says so plainly. They are docile, small, adaptable and feed readily, which is most of what makes a first snake easy. Experienced keepers keep them for the same reasons.
How big do African house snakes get?
2 to 3.5 feet. A 5-10 gallon tank suits a juvenile and a 20-40 gallon suits an adult, which puts them within reach of people who cannot house a boa or a large python.
Are African house snakes venomous?
No. They are non-venomous and rarely bite anything that is not food. Young ones can be flighty, which settles with regular gentle handling.
How often do you feed an African house snake?
Pinky mice every 5 to 7 days for hatchlings, then every 7 to 10 days for juveniles and adults with the prey size going up. Match the prey to the widest part of the snake and resist feeding more, since obesity is the usual problem.
Should I use a heat lamp?
Heat pads and radiant heat are preferred here. Heat lamps dry the enclosure out and make the 40 to 60% humidity hard to hold. If you do use lights, dark or infrared lamps only.
Why is it called a house snake?
They live around human settlements in the wild, and people often leave them on private property to keep rodents down.
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We carry the aspen, cypress mulch and soil blends, hides, heat pads, radiant heat and sphagnum moss covered in this guide at 1911 Kennedy Rd. Unit 99 in Toronto. Staff can walk you through a full setup in person.
