Cape House Snake

CARE GUIDE

Size: Adults can reach up to 120 cm

Origin: Botswana, South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe

Lifespan: Up to 20 years in captivity

Natural Habitat: The Cape House Snake is a snake species found in sub-Saharan Africa near towns and villages, where it feeds on mice.

The Cape House Snake is a somewhat wary type of snake. However, it is extremely hardy and very easy to care for. This makes it a good choice for people with some previous experience with snakes who are looking for a more challenging personality.

Although this is a relatively easy species to keep, you should pay attention to a few aspects and ensure certain conditions, which you will find in the following paragraphs.

Terrarium

Size: Minimum 90x45x45cm for 1 adult

Material: Glass or Wood

 - Heating and Lighting

You should set up a terrarium with a thermal gradient, with a minimum temperature of 22ºC on the cool side and around 32ºC on the warm side. At night the temperature should not drop below 18ºC. Heating can be provided with a Heat Mat.

Although not essential, daytime exposure to a UVI between 0 and 3 (Ferguson Zone 1-2) is recommended. To achieve these UV levels you can use ShadeDweller UV lamps.

- Humidity

The Cape House Snake needs a relative humidity between 30 and 60%. These levels usually match the ambient humidity in our homes.

The snake should always have a water bowl with fresh water available.

- Decor

You can use an Aspen substrate or Arcadia Earth Mix Arid. You can create a three-dimensional habitat using branches and rocks, making sure they are firmly secured. Especially with young animals, it is advisable to provide a few hiding places to avoid unnecessary stress. You can also use live plants (safe species only) and/or artificial ones.

Diet and Supplementation

Feeding habits: Carnivorous

 Juvenile Diet: You can feed prey of up to 15% of the animal's body mass every 5 days.

 Adult Diet (from 2 years old): You can feed prey of up to 10% of the animal's body mass every 7-14 days.

- Foods

Dead Mice and/or Rats.

Under Portuguese Law No. 95/2017 of 23 August, the sale and/or advertising of wild/exotic animals through websites or online platforms is not permitted. To find out which animals we currently have available and their conditions of sale, please get in touch with us.