Sunbeam Snake in waterlogged, muddy
habitat in Singapore.
Swimming across a shallow, rural pond,
Singapore.
Juvenile found behind Kata-Karon Beach,
Phuket, Thailand.
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This harmless,
non-venomous species stays largely hidden in burrows, but comes to the
surface to feed on lizards, frogs, mice and other vertebrates. It is mainly
nocturnal, and prefers secondary forest, agricultural areas, parks and
gardens.
Under dull light its
colour appears dark brown to black, but under strong sunlight it displays an
attractive iridescence of red, blue, green and yellow. The ventral surface
is white. The head is depressed (flattened) which allows for easy
burrowing. The juvenile has a pale collar around the neck.
The species ranges
throughout southern China and Southeast Asia.
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Scales under dull light.
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Under strong light the scales
are iridescent..
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Family : XENOPELTIDAE
Species : Xenopeltis unicolor
Maximum Size : 1.25 metre
References : H1, H2
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