SUMMARY

• VENOM: None

• PREVALENCE: Uncommon

• ACTIVE PERIOD: Active at night

• KEY ID FEATURES: Black and white or sometimes pink jagged saddles, head wider than neck, ~80cm long when mature

• BEHAVIOR: Hunts on the ground at night but is a good climber, moves slow but capable of striking and musking if handled, generally will flee

• SIZE: Small/Medium - 60-80cm

• IUCN: LC - Least Concerned

• OTHER: Can easily be mistaken with Many Banded Krait

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

Black and white or sometimes pink or grey saddle marking and very similar to the Many Banded Krait in appearance, especially as juveniles. Banding generally lower contrast than on the Many Banded Krait. Bands also tend to stay uniform in spacing the length of the body and are also jagged and saddle shaped. Head is larger than the neck making it larger than the Many Banded Kraits head. Reaching a length of ~80cm.

BEHAVIOR

Active at night and mainly hunts lizards. Generally docile when approached they are quick to bite and will do so if disturbed or handled. Normally slow and deliberate in their movement they are capable of moving quickly when fleeing. Hunt near water sources, forest floors and water conduits. Often found at higher elevations up to 700+m. Capable of secreting a very strong musk from the anal glands as a defensive measure.

HABITAT

The Futsing wolf snake is a terrestrial species often hunting in forested areas or water culverts at higher elevations. It is uncommon in Hong Kong. A less common encounter for most given its restricted range and nocturnal nature, it is possible though very unlikely to bump into one on the trail and if so they should be give a wide berth and left alone due to similar appearance with the venomous Many Banded Krait.

MISTAKEN IDENTITY

NO SNAKE SHOULD EVER BE HANDLED BY ANYONE BUT EXPERTS: The Futsing wolf snake can be potentially confused with the venomous Many Banded Krait. A Futsing wolf snake should never be handled or approached due to the potential for confusing species.