The stripes that stretch from the rostral scale through the eye to the back of the head are very strong, thick, and bold.

These markings normally fade two-thirds of the way down the body until only the base colour remains, but there are exceptions to the rule.

Like all house snakes, Boaedon capensis is very iridescent, their scales often shining with an oily sheen in certain lights.

[citation needed] In the wild, this species is known to frequent human habitations, feeding on the rodents that gather there.

It is a common misconception that South African people introduce these snakes to their homes to eat rodents.

[citation needed] Nocturnal by nature, this species is known to eat entire nests of mice in one sitting.

[citation needed] With more selective and captive breeding taking place, there are an increasingly high number of genetically viable colour variants of Boaedon capensis available through the pet trade.

For its first year, roughly, the snake presents with normal coloration before several scales will begin to turn white.

This gradually spreads as the snake sheds and grows, leaving the animal's body with larger areas of white scales, also appearing somewhat similar to a piebald or pied in other species.

With the Springbok area being semi-arid, some keepers prefer to house these snakes with lower ambient humidity.