Desert Banded Snake
Simoselaps anomalus
A tiny, burrowing banded elapid of the Western Australian desert, rarely seen due to its subterranean lifestyle.
- Venomous?
- Mildly venomous
- Adult length
- 0.2-0.3 m (0.7-1 ft)
- Range
- Arid interior of Western Australia
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Overview
The Desert Banded Snake is a very small, fossorial elapid found in the arid sandy interior of Western Australia. It is adapted for a life spent mostly underground, surfacing only briefly at night.
Its small size and secretive habits mean it is seldom encountered, and it presents no meaningful threat to humans.
How to identify it
- Pale cream to yellowish body with dark brown to black bands encircling it
- Small, narrow head with a slightly pointed snout suited for burrowing
- Smooth, polished scales
- Round pupil
- Adults typically 20-30 cm, one of the smallest banded elapids
- Distinguished from other banded desert snakes mainly by size and band spacing
Habitat & range
Inhabits sandy deserts and arid shrubland in the interior of Western Australia. Burrows in loose sand, emerging briefly at the surface during cooler nighttime hours.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Nocturnal and strongly fossorial, spending nearly all its time underground. Diet consists of small reptiles, particularly skinks and their eggs. Reproduces by laying eggs in moist subterranean sites.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Desert Banded Snake dangerous?
It is mildly venomous but poses no real danger to humans due to its tiny size and burrowing habits.
Where does the Desert Banded Snake live?
It is found in the arid sandy interior of Western Australia.
What does the Desert Banded Snake eat?
It preys on small reptiles, especially skinks and their eggs.
How can you identify a Desert Banded Snake?
Look for a very small pale snake with dark bands encircling its body, typically under 30 cm long.
Desert Banded Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Desert Banded Snake.
