Lycodon aulicus (Linnaeus, 1758) |
|
Order Suborder |
Squamata 有鱗目 Serpentes 蛇亞目 |
Family | Colubridae 游蛇科 |
Genus | Lycodon 白環蛇屬 |
Species | Lycodon aulicus |
Other name | - |
Chinese name | - |
Total length | Up to 75 cm |
Description | Back greyish-brown, with a dense reticulation of white or yellowish-white throughout the body. Ventrals iridescent, pearly white. Body slender. Head flat and spatulate, chocolate-brown above. White patch on each side of neck, forming an incomplete collar. A white streak along upper labials. Tail rather short, slender and pointed. Scales smooth. |
Habitat | Dry hilly areas, grassland or shrubland; Occasionally on edges of cultivated fields and catehwaters. |
Behaviour | Strictly nocturnal. Sometimes found under objects during day time. Normally slow-moving, but can be swift when aroused. Will strike and bite if threatened. A good climber, can climb high walls. |
Diet | In captivity feeds well on lizards, particularly geckoes and skinks. Kills by constriction and swallows prey head first. |
Reproduction | Oviparous. Lays 3-11 eggs, each measuring 2-3 cm long by 1 cm wide. Hatchling about 15 cm long. |
Distribution | Not common, but widely distributed at low elevations throughout Hong Kong including several small islands (Cheung Chau, Po Toi, Shek Kwu Chau and Stonecutters). Ranges widely across southern China, South and Southeast Asia to Indonesia. |
Conservation Status | IUCN Redlist: NE (Not Evaluated) |