SUMMARY

• VENOM: None

• PREVALENCE: Common

• ACTIVE PERIOD: Active at night

• KEY ID FEATURES: Blunt boxy head, lichen or mossy stick colored and patterned body

• BEHAVIOR: Docile and slow moving, may ball up or squirm if handled but almost never bites

• SIZE: Small - 60cm

• OTHER: Specialized jaw for extracting snails from their shells

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

Up to 60cm in length, the Blunt-headed Slug Snake is a relatively small slow moving snake with color and pattern similar to moss or lichen covered branches, usually green, white and or brown but are highly variable in term of how these colors and patterns present. They have a blunt and boxy specialized head with a thinner neck and proportioned body that is heavily keeled. Very distinctive large eyes with round pupils. Nonvenomous and completely docile, the Blunt-headed Slug Snake is an inoffensive species.

BEHAVIOR

Largely nocturnal the Blunt-headed Slug Snake is a docile hunter of snails and slugs. Generally they will stay still when approached and may squirm or ball up when handled, often curling into a roll but never bite and are not known to musk heavily.

HABITAT

Live in moist forested areas where their exclusive diet of small snails and slugs can be found. They can be found at higher elevations with cooler temperatures and at lower elevations. They thrive in forested habitats that frequently experience moisture. The Blunt-headed Slug Snake is relatively common in its range.

MISTAKEN IDENTITY

NO SNAKE SHOULD EVER BE HANDLED BY ANYONE BUT EXPERTS: Generally unique in appearance given its color, pattern and especially its uniquely shaped head.