SUMMARY
VENOM: None
PREVALENCE: Very common
ACTIVE PERIOD: Active at night
KEY ID FEATURES: Slate grey with black and white spot clusters running the length of the body
BEHAVIOR: Docile and slow moving, may squirm if handled but almost never bites
SIZE: Very Small - 20-35cm
IUCN: LC - Least Concerned
OTHER: N/A
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.
DESCRIPTION
20 to 35 cm in length, the White Spotted Slug Snake is a small slow moving snake with a slate grey body speckled with white and black spots. A rounded specialized head with a slightly thinner neck and proportioned body and tail. White and black speckled belly with eye color indescribable from color and pattern on the head.
BEHAVIOR
Completely nocturnal the White Spotted Slug Snake is a docile slow moving hunter of snails and small slugs. As a result it is found near but not living in water. Generally stay still when approached and may squirm when handled but never bite and not known to musk excessively.
HABITAT
Live in areas surrounding shallow slow moving or still bodies of water where their exclusive diet of small snails and slugs can be found. The White Spotted Slug Snake can be found all over Hong Kong including Hong Kong Island.
MISTAKEN IDENTITY
NO SNAKE SHOULD EVER BE HANDLED BY ANYONE BUT EXPERTS: Given its small size it could be mistaken for juvenile species of several snakes, but generally unique in appearance and temperament. It should be noted that small snakes can be particularly dangerous due to difficulty in properly identifying them and difficulty handling them. As such they should never be handled or approached.