About Lycodonomorphus inornatus (Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854)
Lycodonomorphus inornatus, commonly called the olive house snake, usually grows to a total length of 45–75 cm (18–30 in) including the tail, with a maximum recorded length of 130 cm (51 in). Its body color can range from dark olive to black, or uniform light brown to olive grey-green. The belly is uniform or slightly lighter than the back, and this lighter color is especially prominent on the chin, throat, and neck. This species is found in South Africa and Eswatini, where it occurs along the eastern coastal belt from the southwestern Cape through East London to Transkei. Its range extends through the low-veld regions of KwaZulu-Natal, the Mpumalanga escarpment, and Limpopo Province. It lives in coastal bushveld, fynbos, and grassveld that have enough moisture, and it can often be found near human settlements. Reports of this snake occurring in Namibia have not been confirmed. Lycodonomorphus inornatus is a nocturnal, generally terrestrial snake that hunts on the ground. It is typically slow-moving and docile, though it will bite if harassed. Female olive house snakes lay 5–15 eggs per clutch. This snake feeds on lizards, small rodents, and other snakes. It is preyed on by various raptors, including snake eagles and secretary birds, as well as by other snake species.
