Awl-Headed Snake
Lytorhynchus kennedyi
A small desert colubrid with a pointed, awl-like snout used for burrowing, closely related to the crowned leaf-nosed snake and adapted to sandy habitats.
- Venomous?
- Non-venomous
- Adult length
- 0.2-0.35 m (8-14 in)
- Range
- Iran, Pakistan, and parts of the Arabian Peninsula
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Overview
The awl-headed snake is a small, sand-specialized colubrid found across parts of Iran, Pakistan, and the Arabian Peninsula. It belongs to the same genus as the crowned leaf-nosed snake and shares its burrowing adaptations.
It is harmless to humans, being non-venomous and rarely seen due to its subterranean lifestyle.
How to identify it
- Small, slender body
- Pale sandy or cream coloration with faint darker markings that provide camouflage in desert sand
- A pointed, awl-shaped snout adapted for pushing through loose substrate
- Smooth scales and round pupils
- Adults typically remain under 0.35 m in length
Habitat & range
Occupies sandy and gravelly desert terrain, including dune systems and arid plains, across Iran, Pakistan, and parts of the Arabian Peninsula.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Nocturnal and fossorial, sheltering beneath sand during the day and emerging at night to hunt. It preys on small lizards and invertebrates. Reproduction is oviparous, with small clutches of eggs laid in moist, buried sites.
Frequently asked questions
Is the awl-headed snake venomous?
No, it is non-venomous and harmless to humans.
Why is it called the awl-headed snake?
It has a pointed, awl-shaped snout adapted for burrowing through loose desert sand.
Where is the awl-headed snake found?
It occurs in sandy desert habitats across Iran, Pakistan, and parts of the Arabian Peninsula.
Awl-Headed Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Awl-Headed Snake.
