| Lamprophis guttatus | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Lamprophis |
| Species: | L. lineatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Lamprophis lineatus (Smith, 1843) |
|
The Spotted House snake, Lamprophis guttatus, belongs to Southern Africa's seven Lamprophis (house snake) species.
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It has unique patterning on the body, which is not easily confused with other Southern African snakes. Spotted House Snakes are small and slender, with the average length of 40–60 centimetres (16–24 in), and a maximum length of 65 centimetres (26 in). The body is cream white to light brown, with round spots, witch are dark brown. sometimes the spots are connected. The eyes are medium sized, copper brown and with vertical pupils. The head is very flat and broad, which is probably an adaptation for accessing narrow rock crevices.
Midbody scale rows range from 21 to 25, the anal shield is entire and the subcaudals (46–72) are paired. There are between 186 and 230 ventral scales, the ventral and dorsal scales are smooth and highly polished.
Spotted House snakes are habitat specialists, occurring in rocky areas, often hiding under exfoliating rock flakes or between narrow crevices. They are nocturnal and hunt for crevice-living lizards. In captivity they are known to take small rodents as well.
Small clutches of between three and six eggs are laid in summer. Eggs measure 38 by 20 millimetres (1.5 × 0.79 in).
The Spotted House snake is widespread in the eastern parts of South Africa. The distribution also extends up the West Coast into Namibia.