All photos on this page provided by: Ringo Wong
SUMMARY
VENOM: None
PREVALENCE: Very Rare
ACTIVE PERIOD: Fossorial
KEY ID FEATURES: Dark grey body with small rounded tail that acts as a decoy for the head, yellow dots on either side of the tail and on the neck, bright red belly scales
BEHAVIOR: Completely fossorial only coming out during heaviy rain or when moving across locations not suitable for burrowing
SIZE: Very small - <50cm
IUCN: DD - Data Deficient
QUICK ASSESSMENT 0-10
GALLERY
IMPORTANT: Many snakes have significant variance in coloration and pattern even within the same species. There can also be extreme differences in appearance from juveniles to adults so it is important to never assume you have properly identified a snake.
All photos provided by: Ringo Wong
DESCRIPTION
The Northern Reed Snake is one of Hong Kong’s most cryptic species and is rarely encountered. It spends all its time under ground. They cylindrical bodies with no distinct necks or tails. The head is small and rounded with black and green mottling. The neck has two large yellow spots. The tail is indistinct from the head and neck and is thought to act as a decoy. It also has two yellow spots and is very short and rounded just like the head. The belly scales are bright red in color running the length of the body. Body color is dark grey.
BEHAVIOR
Not much is known about the behavioir of this species but they are known to be fossorial spending almost all of thier time under ground, in leaf litter or under rocks and logs. They may occasionally come out during heavy rain or when moving through locations not suitable for burrowing. They eat insect larva and earth worms. Very docile with small mouths, they are not known to bit aggressively but if they do there is little cause for concern given their dimunitive size.
HABITAT
Found more commonly at mid to high elevations ranging from 100 to 800+ meters. Assumed to live in leaf litter and underground. Very elusive, small and well camouflaged.
MISTAKEN IDENTITY
NO SNAKE SHOULD EVER BE HANDLED BY ANYONE BUT EXPERTS: More often confused for a large earth worm than other snakes due to its size and dimensions.