Wolf Snake

Genus Lycodon (Asia), Lycophidion (Africa)

Reptile

Transcript:

Today on Animal Fact Files we’re discussing wolf snakes. There are two groups of snakes commonly known as wolf snakes: one group predominantly lives in sub-Saharan Africa and the other is spread out across Asia. These snakes get their common name from their enlarged fangs. Much like a wolf's large canines, wolf snakes have long fangs present in both their upper and lower jaws, giving them a lupine appearance. Although both groups have the same common name and the same elongated teeth, these two genera are not classified in the same family. Instead, they have simply developed similar traits over time, making both groups effective predators of lizards.

Long teeth are useful for holding tight to quick, squirmy prey. Small lizards are notoriously agile creatures, scurrying so fast they can disappear in the blink of an eye. It takes sturdy teeth to hold them in place once captured; wolf snakes have to make sure their preferred prey can't wiggle free. When caught, the snake coils tightly around its meal, suffocating the animal by constricting tighter as it takes breaths. Although rodents are a staple meal for many serpentines around the world, wolf snakes are skink specialists. They also catch geckos, frogs, and other smaller snakes on occasion, however, wolf snakes themselves are also rather small.

The longest wolf snakes can reach nearly 9 feet (2.7 m) long, however this is the exception and not the rule. Most wolf snakes are less than 2 feet (61 cm) long. They spend their days resting in burrows dug by other animals, inside abandoned termite mounds, under rocks and logs, and anywhere else that's cool and damp. Depending on the species, wolf snakes may be terrestrial, meaning they spend their time on the ground, arboreal, meaning they spend their time in the trees, or some combination of both. Many are nocturnal, preferring the safety of the night both to disguise their approach and keep them hidden from predators. Even if wolf snakes venture out during the day, however, they have protection 

These serpents take on the patterns and colors of other nearby snake species. Specifically, they mimic the way other venomous snakes appear in their environment. Wolf snakes themselves are non-venomous– their bite is harmless to humans in terms of toxic properties. However, because these snakes look like other venomous snakes, such as banded kraits, many predators think twice about attacking them. Feral and domestic cats are known to eat wolf snakes, and they're likely attacked by other small mammals as well as birds of prey, but their colors help keep them safe. When they do feel threatened, wolf snakes prefer to flee, rattle their tail to scare a predator away, or coil up into a tight ball until the danger has passed. They can also make themselves super stinky by releasing a musk from their anal glands. 

Wolf snakes lay eggs in nests that typically contain 10 or fewer eggs. These incubate for one to two months before hatching. How long they live, and even how accurate this information is to all species is still undetermined. These snakes have gone relatively understudied in comparison to more iconic animals. More research could show there are more species than we realize and help us further understand their life cycle as a group. Fascinatingly, wolf snakes are commonly seen in human-made environments within their habitats. Some observations include a wolf snake hiding in a wood pile or curling up into a shoe left outside to dry!

For more facts on wolf snakes, check out the links below. Give a thumbs up if you learned something new today. Thank you to our Patrons SpikeSpiegel93, Dad, and everyone else for their support of this channel! And thank you for watching Animal Fact Files!