About Lycodonomorphus rufulus (Lichtenstein, 1823)
Common Name and Origin
Lycodonomorphus rufulus, commonly called the common brown water snake, is a nonvenomous snake species native to South Africa. This gentle, harmless snake is the most common water snake found in southern Africa.
Geographical Distribution
Its distribution extends from Cape Town in the south, along South Africa’s wet eastern coast, and inland to areas including Gauteng, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe.
Habitat and Shelter
Across its entire range, this snake’s natural habitat is along water margins, where it shelters under leaves and logs.
Feeding Behavior
It emerges at night to hunt, feeding primarily on frogs and occasionally on rodents.
Reproduction
At the end of summer, females lay clutches of up to 10 eggs.
