African house snake (Boaedon fuliginosus)
Snakes · Difficulty: Beginner
Key facts and care guidance for African house snake (Boaedon fuliginosus) (origin: Sub-Saharan Africa). Adult size around 70–120 cm (females larger). Life expectancy 15–20 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
African house snake: How big does the enclosure need to be?
From 120×60×60 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, house snakes).
African house snake: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 26–32 °C, basking spot 35 °C (locally), at night 20–23 °C.
African house snake: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Not essential.
African house snake: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 15–20 years.
African house snake: Is it suitable for beginners?
Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 26–32 °C
- Night temperature
- 20–23 °C
- Basking spot
- 35 °C (locally)
- Humidity
- 50–65 %
- UVB
- Not essential
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- from 120×60×60 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, house snakes)
- Substrate
- Coco humus or beech granulate, hides in the warm and cool zones
Feeding
- Food
- Frozen-thawed mice
- Feeding interval
- adults every 7–10 days
Key facts
- Adult size
- 70–120 cm (females larger)
- Life expectancy
- 15–20 years
- Origin
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Protection status
- Not listed under CITES
- Brumation
- None
- Cohabitation
- Keep them singly. Snakes are solitary and do not seek company — a shared hide is competition for the best spot, not social behaviour. The concrete reason is the feeding accident: if two animals grab the same food item, one can swallow the other along with it. On top of that, once they are kept together you can no longer tell which animal has eaten and which is losing weight. For breeding, put them together under supervision and separate them again afterwards.
Notes
A very robust, undemanding beginner's species with a good feeding drive. Nocturnal. The females often lay eggs without males too — watch that the calcium supply is sufficient.
Do you keep this species?
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African house snake (Boaedon fuliginosus) currently offered
- Afrikanische Hausschlange (Boaedon fuliginosus) – Belau · 70 €
Related species
- Spotted house snake (Boaedon maculatus) – Beginner
- Striped house snake (Boaedon lineatus) – Beginner
- Cape house snake (Boaedon capensis) – Beginner
- Common egg-eating snake (Dasypeltis scabra) – Intermediate
- False water cobra (Hydrodynastes gigas) – Experts
- Western whip snake (Hierophis viridiflavus) – Intermediate
- Smooth green snake (Opheodrys vernalis) – Expert
- Rough green snake (Opheodrys aestivus) – Intermediate
What you need to start
To keep African house snake (Boaedon fuliginosus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 120×60×60 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, house snakes)), substrate (Coco humus or beech granulate, hides in the warm and cool zones), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.
The complete, interactive care database is in the Reptoria app.
Last updated: 2 November 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: einrichtungsbeispiele.de, tropic-shop.de, terrariengemeinschaft.de, ms-reptilien.de, repiterra.de
All values are non-binding guidance and do not replace expert advice. Research thoroughly from several sources before acquiring and keeping an animal, and observe the applicable law (species and animal protection in particular).