Calamaria septentrionalis (Boulenger, 1890)
Northern Reed Snake 鈍尾兩頭蛇
(Non-venomous)
* Photos taken in China
Suborder
Serpentes 蛇亞目
One pair of yellowish spots on the neck and one pair near tail tip.
Ventrals orange or redish.
Tail short and blunt, resembles the head. Hard to distinguish head and tail at first glance.
All scales smooth.
Fossorial species, live underground in forests or even lawns.
Seems to be absent from steep slope where soil is shallow.
Rarely come out from burrow, except after rain, especially at night.
Tail can behave like the head, striking at offensive objects.
Seldom found under objects.
Previously only known from Ng Fai Tin(五塊田) of Clear Water Bay, where it is locally common.
Part of the habitat there was destroyed by development.
In 2005, AFCD found a live specimen in Gilwell Scout Campsite in Ma On Shan Country Park; first record outside Clear Water Bay peninsula.
Occurs in China and Vietnam.
