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Text and photos by Nick Baker, unless otherwise stated

 EcologyAsia 2008
Copyright ©
 
 
     

 

 
   
Pink-headed Reed Snake
   

Photographed at Kota Tinggi, Johor, West Malaysia

Family : COLUBRIDAE
Subfamily : Calamariinae
Species : Calamaria schlegeli
Maximum Size : 40 cm

References : H2, H3
 

This is a small, attractive, non-venomous snake with a bright pink-red head, and no colouration on the tail. The dark dorsal colour exhibits a blue-green iridescence under strong light. The ventral surface is grey-white. Care should be taken not to confuse this species with the Blue Malayan Coral Snake Maticora bivirgata.

 
   

As with other Reed Snakes this species is a burrowing forest dweller, which feeds on small invertebrates such as worms, sometimes emerging at night to take insects.

It ranges from southern Thailand, West Malaysia and Singapore to the islands of Borneo, Sumatra, Bangkga and Belitung.