Points

40

per confirmed sighting

ReptileConservation status: Least ConcernVery Rare to spot
reptiles • Lamprophiidae

Common Brown Water Snake.

C

Lycodonomorphus rufulus

Category

reptiles

Family

Lamprophiidae

Size

Adults commonly measure about 30–50 cm and may reach about 97 cm.

Points

40 pts

Log a sighting

A closer look

Field notes for spotting, identifying and understanding common brown water snake in its natural range.

Overview

How to identify it

Habitat

Rivers, streams, vleis and other damp areas.

Diet

Frogs, tadpoles and fish, with occasional nestling rodents and geckos.

Behaviour

When to look

Primarily nocturnal, with some daytime foraging in shaded streams.

Where to see it

South Africa flagSouth AfricaBotswana flagBotswanaZimbabwe flagZimbabweMozambique flagMozambiqueEswatini flagEswatiniLesotho flagLesothoMalawi flagMalawi

Safety and etiquette

Observe from a safe distance and never handle or feed wildlife.

Verification and sources

1500 verified species across ten Southern African countries. Spotted an error? Tell us through community guidelines.