SUMMARY

• VENOM: None

• PREVALENCE: Very common

• ACTIVE PERIOD: Active at night

• KEY ID FEATURES: Dark grey with yellow side and belly scales, small head with light pink coloration

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

• SIZE: Very Small - 20 - 40cm

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

A small inoffensive snake, the Pink-Headed Reed Snake is relatively common across its geographical range. Often dark gray with white or yellow belly scales and a light pink head with a sharp tip on the tail. Very large scales on the head relative to its size and uniform scale size on the body. This is a nonvenomous species.

BEHAVIOR

Completely nocturnal the Pink-Headed Reed Snake is a docile slow moving hunter of worms. As a result it is found near but not living in water. They live mostly in leaf litter but can be found on open ground on rainy nights hunting. Generally stays still when approached and may squirm when handled but almost never bite and not known to musk excessively. 

HABITAT

Live in areas surrounding water sources or places that experience regular precipitation where their diet of worms can be found. Often found at higher elevations but can be found closer to sea level as well.

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.