SUMMARY
VENOM: None
PREVALENCE: Less common
ACTIVE PERIOD: Active at night
KEY ID FEATURES: Reddish brown with yellowish white mottling running the length of the body
BEHAVIOR: Docile, will not bite readily but can secrete a smelly musk, completely terrestrial
SIZE: Small - 30-40cm
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
Average size reaching up to .75 meters with reddish brown coloration and yellowish white mottling over the length of the body. A flat narrow head just slightly wider than the neck at the jaw with proportioned round eyes and pupils. Yellowish white incomplete band just behind the head.
BEHAVIOR
The Common Wolf Snake is a docile terrestrial night feeder and fun to observe. They will flee slowly but deliberately when disturbed either burrowing through the leaf litter or slithering away. If handled they are not quick to bite, though capable of doing so and will readily secrete a smelly musk while trying to get away. Quick to calm down they pose almost no danger.
HABITAT
Common Wolf Snakes are widely distributed around Hong Kong including Hong Kong island. Fond of lizards they can be found from grassy areas to forests and near water culverts.
MISTAKEN IDENTITY
NO SNAKE SHOULD EVER BE HANDLED BY ANYONE BUT EXPERTS: Relatively unique in appearance the Common Wolf Snake is not normally confused with other species.