Cryptophis nigrescens
Eastern Small-eyed Snake
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Reptilia
Order
Squamata
Family
Elapidae
Genus
Cryptophis
Species
Cryptophis nigrescens
Colours
Distinguishing features
The Small-eyed Snake has a glossy dark grey to black back. The belly is commonly pink with a line of dark grey spots, but can be cream with grey blotches. (Queensland Museum)
Size
- Up to 120 cm (Length of specimen)
Synonyms
Similar taxa
-
Animalia:
Red-bellied Black Snake (species: Pseudechis porphyriacus)
Pseudechis porphyriacus is more robust and has larger head and eyes, and obvious red on lower flanks. (Queensland Museum)
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution: Eastern Small-eyed Snake (Cryptophis nigrescens)
Distribution and habitat preferences
It lives in rainforests, wet and dry eucalypt forests and heaths, agricultural and grazing lands.
It shelters beneath rocks, logs and the bark of fallen trees during the day. (Queensland Museum)
Chronotypes
nocturnal (active at night)
Diet
It feeds on lizards and their eggs, small snakes and, rarely, frogs. (Queesland Museum)
Web resources
Danger
- rarely fatal - It is a dangerously venomous snake with strongly myotoxic venom injected via its fangs. These snakes have venom similar to the black snake family, which destroys tissue and can cause severe problems (organ failure) if you do not receive medical attention immediately.