Common Wolf Snake
Lycodon aulicus • Squamata, Serpentes, Colubridae, Colubrinae, Lycodon, Lycodon aulicus
Commonly found across South Asia, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and extending into parts of Southeast Asia.
Look up Common Wolf Snake in the Snake Encyclopedia →Venomous Status
Non-venomous (Aglyphous)
Danger Level
Harmless - though they may bite if provoked, they pose no threat to humans or pets.
Family
Squamata, Serpentes, Colubridae, Colubrinae, Lycodon, Lycodon aulicus
Conservation
Least Concern (IUCN). Extremely common and faces no major widespread threats.
Physical Description
Slender body with a flattened head, small eyes with vertical pupils. Color is typically chocolate brown or black with thin, white or yellowish crossbands that often fade towards the tail. Scales are smooth and shiny.
Size & Dimensions
Typically ranges from 30 to 70 cm (12 to 28 inches). The specimen in the image appears to be a sub-adult or adult of approximately 45-50 cm.
Habitat
Highly adaptable, found in tropical forests, agricultural areas, and frequently urban environments. They are often found in gardens and inside houses, occupying crevices and roofs.
Behavior & Temperament
Nocturnal and terrestrial but very capable climbers. When threatened, they are known to be quite feisty and will strike repeatedly, though their bite is insignificant. They often coil their bodies defensively.
Diet & Feeding
Primarily feeds on lizards, particularly geckos and skinks. They use their enlarged anterior maxillary teeth (vampire-like teeth) to grip slippery prey before constricting them.
Reproduction
Oviparous (egg-laying). Females lay clutches of 4 to 11 eggs typically during the monsoon season.
Venom Profile
Non-venomous - no medically significant venom.
Look-alikes
Frequently confused with the highly venomous Common Krait (Bungarus caeruleus). Distinguished by the presence of a loreal scale, no enlarged hexagonal mid-dorsal scales, and white bands that start right from the neck rather than further down the body.
Conservation Status
Least Concern (IUCN). Extremely common and faces no major widespread threats.
Cultural Significance
Often referred to as 'house snakes' in India due to their proximity to humans. They play a vital ecological role in controlling lizard and pest populations in urban areas.
Notable Features
Possesses enlarged teeth in the front of both jaws which resemble wolf fangs, used for grasping lizards with hard, smooth scales.