Little Spotted Snake
Suta punctata
A tiny, faintly spotted elapid of inland grasslands, closely related to the little whip snake.
- Venomous?
- Mildly venomous
- Adult length
- 0.2-0.35 m (8-14 in)
- Range
- Inland southeastern Australia
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Overview
The little spotted snake is a small, secretive elapid found in the semi-arid grasslands and plains of inland southeastern Australia. It closely resembles other diminutive Suta species and is best distinguished by fine scale and pattern details.
As with its relatives, it is a harmless-to-humans reptile predator that spends most of its life hidden beneath surface objects.
How to identify it
- Small, slender body
- Grey-brown dorsal coloration with faint darker spotting along the back
- Pale ventral surface
- Head barely distinct from body
- Distinguished from the little whip snake by subtle spotting pattern and range
Habitat & range
Inhabits semi-arid grassland and open woodland plains of inland New South Wales and adjacent regions, sheltering under rocks and surface debris.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Nocturnal and secretive. Preys on small skinks. Reproduces by laying eggs during the warmer months, consistent with related small elapids.
Frequently asked questions
Is the little spotted snake venomous?
Yes, mildly venomous, but it poses little risk to humans.
How can it be told apart from the little whip snake?
By subtle differences in spotting pattern, scalation, and geographic range.
Where does it live?
Inland grassland plains of southeastern Australia.
What does it eat?
Small skinks.
Little Spotted Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Little Spotted Snake.
