Elapidae
Black-striped Snake
Cryptophis nigrostriatus
Black-striped Snake is recorded in north-eastern Queensland from Rockhampton to the Torres Strait; southern New Guinea is a separate foreign occurrence. It is slender, reddish-brown to pink above with a dark stripe along the body.
Venomous
Identification and appearance
A dark stripe follows the back of this slender snake, over a reddish-brown or pinkish background.
Typical length
AROD lists a species average of 50 cm; this does not establish a typical adult interval.
Body build
slender
Key identification features
- Slender build
- Reddish-brown to pink upperparts
- Dark vertebral stripe
Where it is found
In Australia, recorded from north-eastern Queensland and the Torres Strait, extending south to around Rockhampton. It also occurs in southern New Guinea.
Diet
Mainly lizards.
Reproduction
Live-bearing.
Medical significance
Venomous. A suspected bite needs urgent medical assessment; do not use a website result to judge risk. Call 000 and follow snakebite first aid for any suspected bite.
What to do if you encounter one
Keep well clear, leave a route for the snake to move away and do not approach for a closer look. If it is inside a building, keep people and pets away and contact a qualified local snake catcher.
Similar-looking snakes
These related species provide useful reading comparisons. Similar appearance does not establish an identification.
Photo: Noah Kirkland · CC BY 4.0 (Licence)
Elapidae
Carpentaria Snake
Cryptophis boschmai
The Carpentaria Snake is a small Queensland snake that can be tan, brown or dark brown, sometimes with a faint dark line down the back. It occurs in dry forest and woodland.
Open identification guideElapidae
Pink Snake
Cryptophis incredibilis
A small, slender pink snake currently known from Prince of Wales Island.
Open identification guideSources checked
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A profile is a guide, not a reason to approach or handle a snake.