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Family : COLUBRIDAE
Species : Calamaria sp.
Maximum Size : unknown
This small, brightly
coloured snake (with an estimated total length of 13-15 cm) was found near a
stream in a forested area of North
Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo, at an elevation of no more than 300 metres, by Mr. William Bruce.
Its body colour is orange-red, and it bears around 35 narrow dark bars which
are equally spaced along the body and tail.
Based on the shape of the head and body, and the short tail, this is
probably a species of Reed Snake or Calamaria sp. There are images of
similar snakes from Sabah, Malaysian Borneo to the north, however these
typically have broader dark bars than are evident in this example, and
conversely they have less dark marking on the nape.
A search of available literature failed to identify this snake to species
level: it has probably yet to be formally named or described.
Calamaria is a genus of terrestrial or fossorial snakes which are
typically found after dark on the forest floor. They feed mainly on
soft-bodied invertebrates.
Fig 1 : The bright colour and patterning of this small snake, probably a
species of Calamaria, make it easy to spot on the forest floor. It
was found in a forested area with many small, clear streams.
Fig 2 : Forest and stream habitat close to the location of the discovery of
this small snake.
Photos
thanks to William Bruce.
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