Elapidae
Black-striped Burrowing Snake
Neelaps calonotos
A very small burrowing snake of south-western Western Australia, usually with a dark stripe along its pinkish to orange-red body.
Venomous
Identification and appearance
A small, slim burrowing snake with a narrow head and rounded snout. Pinkish to orange-red body colour is usually marked by a dark stripe along the back, sometimes interrupted or reduced. Separate dark markings occur on the head and nape.
Typical length
The specialist account reports a 271 mm (27.1 cm) study-sample maximum and an earlier 284 mm (28.4 cm) female as the largest cited report; these are not typical adult bounds.
Body build
slender
Head appearance
round snout
Key identification features
- Pink, orange or red body with a dark vertebral stripe
- Narrow head and round snout
- South-western Western Australian range
Where it is found
South-western Western Australia; the 2023 revision confirms the species as a south-western WA endemic. The historical Tasmania type locality was erroneous.
Diet
Forages for worm lizards in sandy soils.
Reproduction
Egg-laying.
Medical significance
For any suspected snakebite, call 000 and follow snakebite first aid. Do not wait for identification.
What to do if you encounter one
Keep clear and do not handle it. Use a qualified snake catcher or local wildlife authority if it is trapped near people.
Taxonomy notes
The 2023 revision confirms the current spelling and south-western Western Australian endemism; the historical Tasmania type locality was erroneous.
Sources checked
- The Reptile Database — Neelaps calonotos (2026-09-25)
- Taxonomy Australia — 2023 Neelaps calonotos revision abstract (2026-09-26)
- Western Australian Museum, Meet the Black-striped Snake (2026-09-26)
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A profile is a guide, not a reason to approach or handle a snake.