1. Lamprophis Erlanger /Ethiopian house snake/

House snakes are found throughout all of sub-Saharan Africa in a wide variety of habitats; some species well adapted to living in underground burrows. They are named “house” snakes as they are frequently found around human dwellings, feeding on the rodents that congregate around human waste, small lizards, and even birds. They are extremely adaptable snakes, which are found in scrubland, woodland „savanna and montane regions.

Wild house snakes are often very nervous, but are not prone to biting. Their first defensive reaction is to flee. House snakes are prolific breeders and lay clutches averaging 8 to 12 eggs that hatch after around two months of incubation. Hatchlings are typically around 20 cm long.

Species of Lamprophis exhibit a wide Varity of pattern variation, and may be spotted, striped, or solid in color. House snakes are sexually dimorphic, the female grow significantly larger to about 120 cm in some species, and some specimens have been recorded over 150 cm ,the males only grow to around 75 cm.

2. Lamprophis Abyssinicus /Abyssinian house snake or Ethiopian house snake/

It was once thought to be endemic to Ethiopia, but has been found in Eritrea recently. This is a small snake, attaining lengths of 50.8-60.96 cm. They are sexually dimorphic, as the females grow larger than the males. The overall color is a tan brown through orange to red, with large, deep-brown or black stripes running from the rostra scale through the eye to the rear of the head, where they continue down the body. The eyes are large and the pupils are vertically elliptical.

Little is known about this species because it is rather uncommon. It is nocturnal by nature and has been known to feed on small mammals and rodents. They breed at the beginning of the rainy season and are, it is assumed, an egg-laying species. Like other house Snakes these snakes can be housed in the same type of enclosures. In their nature house snakes are opportunist feeders, and will prey on rodents, lizards, skins, geckos and on some like all house Snakes these snakes are constrictors. In Ethiopia Abyssinian House Snakes will usually breed prior to the onset of the rainy season. In a possible to breed Abyssinian House Snakes anytime of the year, with multiple clutches. This is the Snake species. Like all House snakes the females are always larger than the males.

3. Bitis parviocula/Ethiopian Mountain Adder/

Parviocula, meaning “small-eyed”, is derived from the Latin words parvus, meaning “small”, and oculus, meaning “eye”. Bitis parviocula is a venomous viper species found only in Ethiopia. It is large with a board head and spectacular geometric markings. In 1995, the species was known from only three specimens, but additional information has surfaced since then. Little is known about its natural history or its venom. No subspecies are currently recognized.

The maximum recorded total length (body + tail) was 75.2 C.M but it is now known each a total length of at least 130 cm The head is long flat, triangular and covered with small, strongly keeled scales. The nostrils are large and set well forward. The head is distinct from the thin neck. The body is cylindrical with a slight vertebral ridge, while the tail is short. The dorsal scales are keeled and arranged in 37-39 rows at midbody.

The color pattern consists of a light brown to dark brown ground color, overlaid with a series of black hexagons or diamonds that run down the center of the back. The black hexagons may have paler crossbars, while being separated from each other by a chain of yellow butterfly shapes. A series of black triangular or sub triangular spots, each with a white center, run down the upper flanks. The lower flanks have a series of greenish-gray triangles, pointing upwards, with yellow edges, especially the tips. The flanks between these triangles are a mottled green color. The head is brown with a dark triangle between the eyes and a dark hammer shape just behind it that extends onto the nape of the neck. The iris is brown. The side of the head is dark, but with a pale stripe that runs from the eye down to the labials. The upper labial scales are white. The chin and throat are white with black speckling. The belly is greenish-gray and may be clear, or with black speckling. It is located in Ethiopia, found on both sides of the Rift Valley, both in the Bale Mountains to the east and between Bonga and Jimma to the west.

4. Rhinotyphlops somalicus/Ethiopian blind snake/

Rhinotyphlops somalicus commonly known as the Ethiopian blind snake or the highland beaked snake is a species of snake in the Typhlopidate family. It is endemic to Africa. It is found in Ethiopia at higher elevations, with body pale olive head yellowish.

Body pale olive; head yellowish. The type specimen is 45 cm in total length. Scales arranged in 24 rows around the body.

Snout very prominent, obtusely pointed, with a sharp horizontal cutting edge, below which are located the nostrils. Head shields granulated. Rostral very large. Portion of rostral visible from above slightly longer than broad; portion visible from below as long as broad. Nasal completely divided the nasal cleft proceeding from the second upper labial. Preocular nearly as large as the ocular, in contact with the second third upper labials. Ocular in contact with the third and fourth upper labials. Eyes not distinguishable. Prefrontal and supra-oculars transversely enlarged. Diameter of body 90 times in total length. Tail slightly broader than long, ending is a small spine.

Source: Internet