Common Wolf Snake

Lycodon capucinus

Description

The body length of Lycodon capucinus reaches 760 mm and the head is slightly flattened. The upper body is reddish brown or blackish in color, with white patches. The top of the head is brownish with a whitish motif on the back of the neck (nape). The lower part of the body is whitish. Young snakes are lighter in color than adult snakes. There are 17 or 19 rows of fine scales in the middle of the body, 180 – 214 ventral scales, 57 – 89 sub caudal pairs. Upper lip scales 8 – 9, and anal scales split. This snake species is not venomous.

Population Size

Stable

Life Span

-

WEIGHT​

-

LENGTH

The average total length is 400 mm, the maximum is about 760 mm

Ca

Carnivore

No

Nocturnal

Te

Terrestrial

Classification

KINGDOM

:

Animalia

PHYLUM

:

Chordata

CLASS

:

Reptilia

ORDER

:

Colubridae

FAMILY

:

Reptilia

GENUS

:

Lycodon

SPECIES

:

Lycodon capucinus

Distribution

Lycodon capucinus can be found in community forest areas. This snake is also often found hanging around on tiles or roofs of houses. In Bali it lives in lowland rainforest, monsoon forest, and agricultural land near sea level, preferring areas with low rainfall.

Geography

Continent : Asia

Country : Lycodon capucinus is widespread in Southeast Asia, starting from Myanmar, Laos, Southeast China (Yunan, Fujian, Guangdong, Hong Kong), Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia (Peninsula, Sarawak and Sabah), Indonesia (Sumatra, Bangka-Belitung) , Java, Bali, Nusa Tenggara, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Buton), Timor Leste, and the Philippines (Bantayan, Cebu, Cuyo, Leyte, Luzon, Masbate, Mindanao, Mindoro, Negros, Palawan, Panay, Samar)

Habits and Lifestyle

Lycodon capucinus is active at night, and is usually above ground, but is also a good climber, this snake has enlarged teeth in front of the upper jaw, it is from the shape of the teeth that this snake got its name. These teeth were probably used to stab and grab their main prey. During the day, the snake takes shelter under rubble on the ground and pieces of bark.

Lifestyle

Terrestrial

Biome

Lowland rain forest

Climate Zone

Tropical

Diet and Nutrition

The main food of these snakes is lizards, but not infrequently these snakes also eat small mammals, frogs and other reptile eggs.

Diet : Karnivora

Mating Habits

Lycodon capucinus reproduces by laying eggs (ovipar). The number of eggs produced is between 3 and 11

Reproduction session : –

Incubation periods: –

Independent age : at birth

Baby name : –

Baby carrying : 3 – 11 eggs

Population

Population status : Least Concern (LC)

NE

DD

LC

NT

VU

EN

CR

EW

EX

Population threats​

There is no major threat to this widespread and highly adaptable species. This snake is often killed when it is seen by people who mistake it for a venomous snake.

Population number​

This species does not face a major threat and is therefore listed as “least concern” on the IUCN RedList.

PHOTO GALLERY

Reference

  1. Wogan, G. & Chan-Ard, T. 2012. Lycodon capucinus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2012: e.T192064A2035298
  2. Lycodon capucinus Wikipedia article
  3. McKay, J.L. 2006. Reptil and Amphibi di Bali. Krieger Publishing Company, Florida, USA.