Family : COLUBRIDAE
Species : Lycodon capucinus
Maximum Size : 76 cm

The Common Wolf Snake is a species of lowland forest. It is both terrestrial and arboreal in habits and may be found, for example, in the dark crevices of figs and other trees.

The species is also known as the House Snake, as it often inhabits old, landed properties such as colonial-era bungalows and buildings near forested areas. In such places, it is assumed it preys on house geckos.

Its body is relatively slender, and its flattened head is larger than its body. Its dorsal skin is brown, and this is patterned with yellowish markings which form a nominally 'reticulate' pattern. There is a pale yellow band around the neck, and the suprablabial lip scales are yellowish too. Its underside is pale.

Whilst quite a harmless snake, it is quite ready to bite when disturbed.

This species is known to occur in Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, southern China, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and the Indonesia islands of Sumatra, Borneo, Java, Bali, Sulawesi and the Lesser Sundas.

Fig 1 : Example from lowland, secondary forest-edge in Singapore. It was found active at night amongst leaf litter, close to an old, colonial-era property.

Fig 2 : Curled defensively in the corner of a stair well.

Fig 3 : Example from an area of dry, secondary forest in Singapore.


References :

Das, I., 2010. A Field Guide to the Reptiles of South-east Asia. New Holland Publishers (UK) Ltd.


Links :

Reptile Database