Sunbeam Snake
Xenopeltis unicolor
A glossy, iridescent burrowing snake of Southeast Asia named for the rainbow sheen its smooth scales produce in sunlight.
- Venomous?
- Non-venomous
- Adult length
- 0.6-1.2 m (2-4 ft)
- Range
- Southeast Asia
Found a snake like this?
Identify any snake from a photo, free.
Overview
The sunbeam snake is a primitive, non-venomous species notable for its extraordinarily iridescent scales, which scatter light into shifting blue, green, and purple hues despite its base coloration being a simple dark brown. It belongs to an ancient lineage with few living relatives.
It is a secretive, burrowing snake rarely seen by casual observers and poses no danger to humans, relying entirely on constriction to subdue prey.
How to identify it
- Uniform dark brown to blackish-brown dorsal coloration with a paler, often whitish or cream belly
- Extremely glossy, smooth scales that produce a strong iridescent rainbow sheen in direct light
- Cylindrical, muscular body with a short, blunt tail
- Small eyes with round pupils
- Head only slightly distinct from neck, adapted for burrowing
- Adults typically 0.6-1.2 m; lacks any bold pattern, distinguishing it from patterned colubrids in the same range
Habitat & range
Inhabits lowland forests, rice paddies, agricultural fields, and disturbed areas with loose, moist soil throughout Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Spends much of its time underground or hidden beneath surface debris, emerging mainly at night or after heavy rain.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Primarily nocturnal and fossorial, burrowing through loose soil in search of prey. Diet consists of small vertebrates such as other snakes, small mammals, frogs, and lizards, which are subdued by constriction.
A generally docile species. It is egg-laying, with females depositing small clutches of elongated eggs in underground burrows or moist soil cavities.
Frequently asked questions
Is the sunbeam snake venomous?
No, it is completely non-venomous and kills prey by constriction.
Why does the sunbeam snake look rainbow-colored?
Its smooth, highly polished scales create a structural iridescence that refracts sunlight into shifting rainbow colors, despite the snake's underlying dark brown color.
How big does the sunbeam snake get?
Adults typically range from 0.6 to 1.2 m (2-4 ft) in length.
Where does the sunbeam snake live?
It is native to Southeast Asia, found in forests, rice paddies, and disturbed lowland habitats.
Sunbeam Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Sunbeam Snake.
