Significance to Humans:
Bites from this species have caused one human fatality. Will bite readily and thrash about if handled. Bites from this species should be treated immediately and attended to with correct first aid.
General description:
Small black eyes barely discernible from surrounding dark scales. Colour generally glossy dark grey to black with cream or pink belly, sometimes with dark spots. Often confused with juvenile Red-bellied Black snakes however the belly colour does not extend up onto sides, and is not visible from a side profile as it is on the Red-bellied Black Snake. Midbody scales at 15 rows.
Average Length:
50cm but specimens to 1m are known.
Habitat in SE Qld:
Range of habitats but generally requires presence of leaf and ground litter such as fallen branches and logs. Shelters under rocks, logs, sheets of bark etc during day.
General habits:
Secretive, nocturnal.
Diet:
Small skinks and other small reptiles, their eggs, and occasionally frogs.
Local distribution:
Found throughout most periphery suburbs with relatively intact vegetative structure. An aggregation of nine individuals was observed under a sheet of bark at the Purga Nature Reserve, west of Ipswich.
Around the home:
The Small-eyed Snake is infrequently encountered with snake relocators turning up only a small number every year. Could be typically associated with ground refuge such as timber piles, sheet iron, rock walls and heavy vegetation.