Cape house snake (Boaedon capensis)
Snakes · Difficulty: Beginner
Key facts and care guidance for Cape house snake (Boaedon capensis) (origin: Southern Africa). Adult size around 70–120 cm. Life expectancy 12–18 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Cape house snake: How big does the enclosure need to be?
From 120×60×60 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, house snakes).
Cape house snake: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 25–31 °C, basking spot 33 °C, at night 19–23 °C.
Cape house snake: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Not required.
Cape house snake: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 12–18 years.
Cape house snake: Is it suitable for beginners?
Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 25–31 °C
- Night temperature
- 19–23 °C
- Basking spot
- 33 °C
- Humidity
- 50–65 %
- UVB
- Not required
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- from 120×60×60 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, house snakes)
- Substrate
- Bark mulch or coco humus, a cork hide, climbing branches, a water dish
Feeding
- Food
- Frozen-thawed mice of a suitable size
- Feeding interval
- 1×/week
Key facts
- Adult size
- 70–120 cm
- Life expectancy
- 12–18 years
- Origin
- Southern Africa
- Protection status
- Not listed under CITES
- Brumation
- A cooler spell of 6–8 weeks
- 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 straightforward, food-keen house snake with a lovely iridescent sheen. Robust and easy to breed – one of the best beginner's snakes alongside the corn snake.
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Related species
- African house snake (Boaedon fuliginosus) – Beginner
- Spotted house snake (Boaedon maculatus) – Beginner
- Striped house snake (Boaedon lineatus) – 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 Cape house snake (Boaedon capensis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 120×60×60 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, house snakes)), substrate (Bark mulch or coco humus, a cork hide, climbing branches, a water dish), a heat source with a thermostat, 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: 9 October 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boaedon_capensis, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Boaedon&species=capensis, https://reptiledirect.com/african-house-snake/
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).