Boaedon angolensis

Boaedon angolensis, commonly known as the Angolan house snake, is a non-venomous snake species in the family Lamprophiidae. It is native to Angola and is part of the diverse group of African house snakes in the genus Boaedon.

Taxonomy

Boaedon angolensis was originally described by Bocage in 1895 as Lamprophis angolensis. For much of the 20th century, it was considered a synonym or variety of other house snake species, such as Boaedon lineatus or Boaedon fuliginosus. However, recent taxonomic revisions based on morphological differences have revalidated B. angolensis as a distinct species.

Description

Boaedon angolensis can be distinguished from other Angolan Boaedon species by having a lower number of midbody scale rows, as well as differences in coloration and patterning. Like other house snakes, it is small to medium-sized, with a slender body and smooth scales. Coloration is typically brown to olive, sometimes with faint patterning.