Pink-headed Reed Snake

Calamaria schlegeli

🐍 Non-venomous

Description

The Pink-headed Reed Snake (Calamaria schlegeli) is a small, secretive snake found in Southeast Asia, typically inhabiting moist forest floors, under leaf litter, or beneath rotting logs. It is easily recognized by its distinctive pink or reddish head that contrasts with its dark brown to black body. This species is fossorial (burrowing), nocturnal, and rarely seen above ground, feeding mainly on small invertebrates such as earthworms.

Venomous?

Non-venomous. It poses no venom threat to humans.

A Danger to Humans?

Not aggressive. This snake is shy and avoids confrontation. When disturbed, it usually attempts to flee or hide rather than bite.

Population Size

Stable

Life Span

-

WEIGHT​

30.5 g

LENGTH

-

Ca

Carnivore

No

Nocturnal

Classification

KINGDOM

:

Animalia

PHYLUM

:

Chordata

CLASS

:

Reptilia

ORDER

:

Squamata

FAMILY

:

Calamariidae

GENUS

:

Calamaria

SPECIES

:

Calamaria schlegeli

Distribution

In Bali, it is recorded that it is found in high rainfall area plantations in Baturiti, Tabanan, at an altitude of about 1000 m above sea level. In other places it is mainly found in rainforests and montane forests, at sea levels up to 1000 m asl.

Geography

Continent : Asia

Country : C.s. schlegeli : Southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Kalimantan and Sumatra

Habits and Lifestyle

This species is active at night, spending most of its time burrowing between or under leaf litter or other heaps on the ground.

Lifestyle

Terrestrial

Biome

Montana forest and rain forest

Climate Zone

Tropical

Diet and Nutrition

Its main food is worms, sometimes it also eats snails, insect larvae and small frogs.

Diet : Carnivora

Mating Habits

Is an oviparous species.

Reproduction session : –

Incubation periods: –

Independent age : at birth

Baby name : –

Baby carrying :

Population

Population status : Least Concern (LC)

NE

DD

LC

NT

VU

EN

CR

EW

EX

Population threats​

No major threats have been recorded.

Population number​

This is a widespread species recorded from Sunda shelf, Peninsular Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Singapore, Sumatra, Borneo, Java and Bali. It is a common species and faces no major threats. It is therefore listed as Least Concern.

PHOTO GALLERY

Reference

  1. Iskandar, D. & Grismer, L. 2012. Calamaria schlegeli. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2012: e.T191990A2024825
  2. Somaweera, R. 2017. A Naturalist’s Guide To The Reptiles and Amphibians of Bali. John Beaufoy Publishing, Oxford, England.
  3. McKay, J.L. 2006. Reptil and Amphibi di Bali. Krieger Publishing Company, Florida, USA.