Lamprophis aurora
Silhouette: SeismicShrimp · PhyloPic
In 3 days ~20% in a week ~40%
The Aurora house snake, Aurora snake, African house snake, or night snake (Lamprophis aurora) is a non-venomous species of lamprophiid snake. It is endemic to Southern Africa (South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Botswana). This species of house snake is widespread across South Africa, where it is present all provinces (except for most of the Northern Cape). It also occurs in Lesotho, Eswatini and eastern Botswana, although this might represent a translocation.
The snake can achieve a maximum length of 90 cm, but averages 45–60 cm. Colour varies from shiny olive green to dull dark green above. A bright yellow to orange vertebral stripe runs from the top of the head to the tip of the tail.
This species occurs in grassland, fynbos, and moist savanna habitats at elevations up to 1,700 m (5,600 ft) above sea level. They are often found near streams and under rocks, and may occur in old termitaria. It is secretive but can be locally common. It is active at night (nocturnal). The diet consists of rodents, lizards, and frogs. The female lays clutches of up to 12 eggs. It is non-venomous and seldom attempts to bite. Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Table Mountain National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa |
More parks will be added in future updates.
| # | City | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cape Town | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 2 | Johannesburg | 🇿🇦 South Africa |
With luck
About 10% of wildlife watchers report an Aurora House Snake sighting in Johannesburg on a given day, based on 6 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 12th most-seen of the 15 reptiles we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 20%, and over a week to about 40%, if each day is a fresh chance.
January–April and October–November
In those months about 10% of wildlife watchers report an Aurora House Snake in Johannesburg on a given day, against under 5% in May–September and December, the lowest months. Those are among Johannesburg's wettest months, with about 80 mm of rain a month against almost none in July.
Between 11 am and 2 pm
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Aurora House Snake sightings with a recorded time, and about 7 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is seen both by day and at night.
Among the best
Of the 2 cities where we can rate Aurora House Snake sightings, Johannesburg ranks 2nd at about 10%, level with the leaders once rounded. The best odds are in Cape Town (South Africa, about 10%).
Same family: Lamprophiidae
The closest relatives of the Aurora House Snake that you can see in Johannesburg (family Lamprophiidae, Lamprophiid Snakes) are Brown House Snake (about 20%) and Common Brown Water Snake (about 10%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Aurora House Snake is recorded against all the reptiles logged in Johannesburg (6 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
