Common Slug-eater
Duberria lutrix
A small African colubrid that feeds exclusively on slugs and snails.
- Adult length
- 0.2-0.4 m (0.7-1.3 ft)
- Range
- Sub-Saharan Africa
Found a snake like this?
Identify any snake from a photo, free.
Overview
The Common Slug-eater is a small colubrid distributed widely across sub-Saharan Africa, notable for its highly specialized diet of slugs and snails. It is frequently found in gardens and moist grassland, where it is welcomed as a natural pest-control species.
How to identify it
- Small, cylindrical body rarely exceeding 40 cm
- Reddish-brown to grayish-brown dorsal coloration, sometimes with a pale vertebral stripe
- Smooth, glossy scales
- Small head barely distinct from the neck
- Round pupils and small eyes
Its small size and smooth uniform coloration distinguish it from other small colubrids; specialized dentition for gripping slimy prey is a further identifying trait known to herpetologists.
Habitat & range
Found in moist grassland, forest edge, gardens, and agricultural land throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa, from South Africa northward through East and Central Africa. Prefers areas with abundant leaf litter and moisture, ideal for its molluscan prey.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Primarily crepuscular and nocturnal, though sometimes active after rain during the day. It often curls into a tight coil when disturbed.
Feeds exclusively on slugs and snails, using specialized jaw structures to extract snails from their shells. Reproduction is live-bearing (ovoviviparous), with small litters of a few young produced.
Frequently asked questions
How big does the Common Slug-eater get?
It is a small snake, typically only 0.2-0.4 m (0.7-1.3 ft) long.
What does the Common Slug-eater eat?
It feeds exclusively on slugs and snails.
Where is the Common Slug-eater found?
It occurs widely across sub-Saharan Africa in moist grassland and garden habitats.
Common Slug-eater guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Common Slug-eater.
