Half-Girdled Snake
Simoselaps semifasciatus
A small, burrowing elapid of arid Australia, patterned with partial dark bands that give it its common name.
- Venomous?
- Mildly venomous
- Adult length
- 0.25-0.35 m (0.8-1.1 ft)
- Range
- Interior Western Australia and parts of the Northern Territory and South Australia
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Overview
The Half-Girdled Snake is a small, fossorial elapid adapted to the sandy and arid interior of Australia. Its name refers to the partial, incomplete dark banding pattern along its body.
It spends most of its time burrowing beneath the sand and leaf litter, rarely surfacing except at night, and poses little risk to humans.
How to identify it
- Pale cream to orange-brown body with dark, incomplete (half) bands or blotches along the back
- Smooth, glossy scales adapted for burrowing
- Small, narrow head
- Round pupil
- Adults typically 25-35 cm
- Distinguished from fully-banded relatives by its incomplete banding pattern
Habitat & range
Found in sandy deserts, arid shrubland, and spinifex grassland across interior Western Australia and neighboring arid zones. Burrows through loose sand and leaf litter.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Nocturnal and fossorial, rarely seen above ground. Feeds on small reptiles and their eggs, particularly skinks. Reproduces by laying eggs in moist underground sites.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called the Half-Girdled Snake?
It has incomplete, partial dark bands along its body rather than complete rings.
Is the Half-Girdled Snake dangerous?
It is mildly venomous but harmless to humans due to its small size and burrowing lifestyle.
Where does the Half-Girdled Snake live?
It inhabits arid sandy regions of interior Western Australia and neighboring areas.
What does the Half-Girdled Snake eat?
It preys on small reptiles, including skinks and their eggs.
Half-Girdled Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Half-Girdled Snake.
