House Snakes of Morocco
One relict snake from sub-Saharan Africa
Lamprophiids are an African family of nocturnal constrictors, hunters of rodents and lizards that carry no venom at all. Morocco has a single representative, the African House Snake, which lives only in the Atlantic plains of the south-west.
Morocco
to humans
Morocco holds the northernmost house snakes in Africa, in a handful of localities and nowhere else, on habitat that keeps drying. And a dark snake met at night, in the one part of Morocco where the Egyptian Cobra also lives, is too often killed before anyone can identify it. Here, every individual counts.
Boaedon fuliginosusAfrican House SnakeHow to identify an African House Snake
Morocco's single House snake is harmless. Keep your distance, this guide is for identification, not to encourage the handling of harmless species.
1 Is it really an African House Snake?
COLLAGE: Three quick checksThree quick checks
- Uniform brown to black, strongly iridescent
- Clean white or cream belly
- Flat, squarish snout, small eye
Venomous or harmless?
House Snakes of Morocco
Is the African House Snake venomous?
No. The African House Snake has no venom at all. It kills its prey, mostly rodents and lizards, by constriction, and it is harmless to people.
Does it really live in houses?
Its name comes from its habit, across much of Africa, of hunting rats and mice around villages, gardens and farm buildings. In Morocco, this snake is not known to enter houses and prefers to stay away from people.
Where does it live in Morocco?
Only in a few spots between Laâyoune and Agadir, along the coast. Morocco is the very northern edge of its range that covers much of sub-Saharan Africa. Moroccan records are few and scattered, which makes every observation valuable.
How do I recognise it?
The African House Snake is a uniform brown to black snake with a strong iridescent sheen in sunlight. It has a clean white belly and a flat, squarish snout.
It is a common pet snake. Can I keep one?
Not one taken from Morocco. Every Moroccan snake is protected under law 29-05, and collecting or keeping a live one without a permit carries a fine of 5,000 to 20,000 dirhams per animal. The species is common in captivity abroad and captive bred babies are available. The wild Moroccan population is small, isolated and at the limit of its range, so every animal counts.
Is it threatened in Morocco?
Globally the species is listed as Least Concern, but the Moroccan population is a different story: it is isolated and its habitat is drying out. For that reason, it is nationally listed as Vulnerable.
Haven’t found an answer to your question?
Ask usThe African House Snake in Morocco
African House Snake
Boaedon fuliginosus
Page coming soon