The intriguing genus of snakes known as wolf snakes has evolved over millions of years to fit a variety of habitats throughout Asia. Specifically, the Lycodon capucinus, also known as the common wolf snake, oriental wolf snake, Indian wolf snake, or house snake, is found in much of southern Asia.
A reptile that’s small in size and slender, it is the bane of skinks and geckos, including those that like to live in people’s houses. The wolf snake status of conservation is considered to be of “Least Concern” by the IUCN.
Evolution and Origin
The earliest colubrid snakes appeared in the Late Cretaceous period, some 65 million years ago, and this is when wolf snakes first appeared. Over time, wolf snakes have evolved into numerous distinct species, each with a unique set of morphological and behavioral characteristics.
There seem to be only one species of wolf snake, but they have different colorations depending on where they are found. An Indian snake, for example, might have a different coloration than a Philippine snake even though they’re the same species.
Nomenclature
The wolf snake’s scientific name is Lycodon capucinus. Lycodon comes from the Greek word for “wolf,” lycan, and the Greek word for “tooth,” which is odont. Capucinus is old French for “hood” or “cowl” and is derived from the Latin word for “hood” which is cappa.
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Physical Characteristics
A wolf snake is a slender colubrid snake, small in size, that lives in the lowland forests of southern Asia. It is called a wolf snake because its long front teeth call to mind the fangs of a wolf. The patterns and coloration on the back of a wolf snake are different from any other snake in the places where it lives. At first, it might be difficult to tell the difference because they are both slender, dark in color, and quick.
The wolf snake has small size for a snake and rarely grows to 3 feet in length. Like many snake species, the female is often larger than the male. It is slender and whiplike, with a flat, wide head. Its coloration might be black, dark gray, or reddish-brown with a lighter, reticulated pattern. Baby snakes are lighter than adults. Most of the snakes have a white collar or cowl-like marking around the back of the head or the neck. The belly is pale, and the large teeth in the snake’s upper jaw give it its generic name.
Habitat and Distribution
The wolf snake is found in many countries in southern Asia. These countries include Laos, Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Cambodia. They’re also found in southeastern China and Hong Kong. It’s found in the lowland forests as well as places near and in human habitation where its favorite prey is found. It’s not unusual to find wolf snakes on roofs or climbing up straight walls. Though they are most often found at sea level, some snakes have been found at elevations as high as 656 feet.
These snakes live in many places in south Asia. The snake is elusive because it is active at night.
Behavior and Diet
Wolf snakes are nocturnal and are often found hunting on open ground or through the shrubbery. The snake spends the day hidden away beneath rocks or tree stumps or in burrows dug into soft ground. Wolf snakes hunt by picking up scent molecules of their prey and following the scent. The snake is high-strung and is likely to bite if it’s molested, though some people still keep it as a pet. Its favorite prey is lizards, particularly skinks, and geckos but it will also take frogs, insects, and smaller mammals such as mice. Depending on where the snake is found, it will either quickly bite to defend itself or try to get away if someone tries to pick it up.
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In the wild, Lycodon capucinus feeds mainly on small lizards such as geckos and they are also among the top predators of skinks which makes it common to humans due to the abundance of prey near and in homes. They may also devour small frogs, if available.
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Venom
Wolf snakes actually produce venom, but the venom is so weak that many herpetologists claim that they are basically nonvenomous. What there is of the snake’s venom is delivered via the fangs at the back of the mouth. This means that if the snake bites it will need to hold on and sort of chew to inject the venom. Still, the wolf snake has razor-sharp teeth, and its bite is painful.
Reproduction
The snakes’ breeding period is before the monsoon. For the Indian snake, this means between December and January if they live in southern India and March to July if they live in northern India. The females lay from three to 11 eggs, and they hatch in the late summer and early fall. The hatchlings are independent at birth and are about 5.5 to 8 inches long.
Conservation Status
The IUCN Redlist of Threatened Species doesn’t display a population total connected to the wolf snake. The IUCN listed this species as of 'Least Concern.' Though a very common snake, it is seldom seen. Continuous destruction of primary and secondary forests, conversion of fertile lands to agricultural and residential areas as well as indiscriminate human killings can threaten the survival of this animal.
Wolf Snakes as Pets
Some people keep these graceful snakes as pets. The price for a healthy specimen can be about $140.00 plus shipping, and this doesn’t include the price of an artificial habitat or the price of food. Wolf snakes are somewhat venomous.
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Flowery Wolf Snake
The Flowery Wolf Snake is a member of the genus Lycodon, which includes a group of non-venomous snakes commonly known as wolf snakes. Despite the name "wolf snake," these reptiles are not particularly aggressive or dangerous. The "flowery" part of its common name refers to the beautiful, floral-like pattern on its body.
Characteristics of the Flowery Wolf Snake
- Coloration: The snake has a characteristic light brown or grayish body with a beautiful, flower-like pattern of dark brown or black markings that run along its back and sides.
- Head: The head is slightly flattened with large eyes that help the snake detect prey and potential threats in low-light conditions.
- Geographical Range: The Flowery Wolf Snake is found primarily in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
- Habitat: The snake is commonly found in forests, agricultural fields, and human-inhabited areas, especially near cultivated lands, rivers, or streams.
- Behavior: The Flowery Wolf Snake is nocturnal, meaning it is primarily active during the night, hunting for prey under the cover of darkness.
- Feeding: As a carnivorous species, the Flowery Wolf Snake preys on a variety of small animals. Its diet consists mainly of lizards, frogs, small mammals, and invertebrates such as insects and worms.
- Hunting Style: The Flowery Wolf Snake is an active predator that hunts by ambush or by searching for prey in vegetation.
- Non-Aggressive: The Flowery Wolf Snake is generally non-aggressive and shy, preferring to avoid confrontation rather than fight.
- Defense Mechanisms: If cornered or threatened, the Flowery Wolf Snake may exhibit a defensive posture, hissing and trying to strike. However, it is not venomous, and its bite is harmless to humans.
- Oviparous: The Flowery Wolf Snake is oviparous, meaning it lays eggs.
- Egg Incubation: The eggs incubate for several weeks before hatching.
- Status: The Flowery Wolf Snake is not currently listed as endangered, and it is considered to have a stable population throughout its range.
- Threats: While it is not currently threatened by major conservation issues, the Flowery Wolf Snake is still vulnerable to habitat destruction, particularly in areas where human development encroaches on its natural environments.
Cape Wolf Snake (Lycophidion capense)
The Cape wolf snake (Lycophidion capense), abundant from Egypt to South Africa, is a small, drab species with a metallic sheen and lives chiefly on lizards. It can grow to lengths of about 50 cm (20 inches).
Adults regularly reach 40 cm in length, but some grow to 64 cm. It has a flattened, tapering head and marbled eye. The brown or black lateral and dorsal scales are tipped white, while the ventral scales are all-white.
This species is typically associated with moist and dry acacia savanna (generally with annual rainfall above 25 cm), but is also found in high moist grasslands. It is usually absent from areas with less than 250 mm annual rainfall. It is nocturnal and terrestrial and prefers well-vegetated situations.
Key characteristics of the Cape Wolf Snake
- Length: Adults typically reach 40 cm, with some growing up to 64 cm.
- Head: Flattened and tapering with marbled eyes.
- Scales: Brown or black lateral and dorsal scales tipped with white; all-white ventral scales.
- Habitat: Prefers damp locations, including lowland forests and fynbos.
- Behavior: Nocturnal and terrestrial, favoring well-vegetated areas.
