Types of Snakes in Karura Forest and Their Characteristics

When Most Nairobi residents think of Karura Forest, what pops into mind first is jogging, bike riding, and having picnics at waterfalls. Few, however, realise that the 2,570-acre forest is home to some of the most elusive reptiles, snakes.
Just last week, Kenyans were amazed after videos shared on social media showed a giant Python allegedly crossing one of the paths that head to the Lily Lake, which is located within the forest, a sighting that is undoubtedly very rare.
According to the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), while pythons have been sighted within Karura in previous years, in 2019 and 2022, the current sighting and the photo in circulation have yet to be authenticated.
In a statement on Thursday, September 5, the Service, however, urged Kenyans visiting the forest to exercise caution and use the designated paths following the sighting of the snake. But how many types of snakes are in Karura Forest?
According to Beyondforest, Friends of Karura and KFS, there areat least seven snake species in the forest; however, the majority of these reptiles are harmless and play a vital role in balancing the forest’s ecosystem.
These snake types include the African rock python, Battersby’s green snake, white-lipped snake, brown house snake, red-brown forest wolf snake, Peter’s worm snake, and Cape wolf snake.
African Rock Python
This snake is considered the largest snake on the continent and is among the 10 largest snakes in the world. Adults of this species can grow to an average of 10 to 16 feet (3 to 5 meters), with larger specimens reaching up to 20 feet (6 meters) or more.
The snake’s body is covered in smooth scales with a unique pattern of brown, olive, and yellow blotches that equip them with excellent camouflage in forests and grasslands.
The Python eats small to medium animals, including birds, and sometimes domestic animals like goats and chickens. It is non-venomous, which means it kills its prey by wrapping around them and suffocating them.
Despite being known for their immense size, powerful hunting ability, and camouflage, these snakes play a key role in balancing the ecosystem.
Battersby’s Green Snake
The Battersby’s green snake is a slender, non-venomous snake that is very common in savannahs, woodlands, and riverine forests. The snake is Bright green on the upper body with a lighter, yellow-green underside.
It commonly lives in trees, preys on small animals like frogs, lizards, and small insects, and it is completely harmless to humans. It usually grows to about 60–90 cm in length, but some may reach up to 1.2 meters.
White-lipped Snake
The white-lipped snake is a medium-sized snake that is typically dark grey, olive, or brown in colour, with a distinctive whitish or cream-coloured upper lip, which gives it its name.
Since it is mostly found near streams, wetlands, and dense vegetation, the snake primarily feeds on frogs and toads and may also eat small fish and lizards.
The snake is mildly venomous and thus considered harmless to humans; however, its bites may cause mild swelling or irritation.
Brown House Snake
The Brown House snake is a medium non-venomous constrictor, which typically feeds on rats, mice, and lizards and is usually light to dark brown in colour.
It is considered non-aggressive and usually hides under logs, rocks, or leaf litter during the day and comes out at night to hunt.
Red-brown Forest Wolf Snake
This is a medium-sized snake with a reddish-brown to dark brown colour, with a lighter underside, with a slender body.
It is, however, non-venomous and harmless to humans and is typically found in leaf litter, logs, or stones. The snake feeds on skinks and geckos, which it hunts at night.
Peter’s worm snake
Another snake you are likely to come across at Karura is the Peter’s worm snake, a very small snake often no thicker than a pencil. They have cylindrical, smooth, and shiny bodies and occur in a range of colours from pinkish-brown to dark brown or even purplish-black.
The snake, which can often be confused with a worm, lives underground in loose soil, leaf litter, and under stones and logs. The non-venomous snake feeds on termites and ants.
The Cape Wolf snake
The Cape wolf snake is a 30-50 cm, slender-built snake that is non-venomous and harmless to humans. These snakes are dark brown to black in colour with narrow white or yellowish crossbars along the body. The underside is lighter, often cream or white.
In Karura Forest, the snake is often found under leaf litter, logs, or stones, and feeds on small lizards, especially geckos and skinks.