Sibynophis chinensis chinensis (Günther, 1889)
Chinese Mountain Snake 黑頭劍蛇
(Non-venomous)

Asiatic many-toothed snake

Back greyish-brown or tan. A thin, black mid-dorsal stripe is present in varying lengths in the anterior part of the body, yet it may be completely absent in rare cases. Two indistinct tan-coloured stripes, one on each side of lower flanks, may also be present.
Ventrals yellowish-white and a dark spot is found at both ends of each scale. Young snakes may be lighter in colour.
Head, rather spatulate in shape, is very dark, almost black.
An irregularly-shaped greyish band is commonly found in the centre of head.
Tip of snout may be greyish. Labials light-coloured.
A thin, whitish ring around the neck may be interrupted by the black dorsal stripe. Scales smooth.

Hilly and mountainous moist secondary forest.
Also occurs in elevated grassland and bamboo thickets, but is absent from dry areas.
Sometimes found inside catchwaters.

Feeds on skinks, but has also been reported to eat grass lizards.
Usually swallows the lizard whole, head first.

Oviparous. Hatchling 10 cm long.

Widely distributed over the central New Territories, parts of Lantau and Hong Kong islands but is rather uncommon.
Occurs in southern China including Taiwan, and Vietnam.