Dwarf Crowned Snake

Identification and appearance

A tiny dark grey to black forest snake with a narrow yellowish collar behind the head. It is easily confused with other crowned snakes, so the whole animal and location matter.

Other names

Krefft’s Dwarf Snake, Southern Dwarf Crowned Snake

Typical length

AROD lists an average size of about 25 cm and a reported maximum of 37 cm.

Head appearance

narrow yellowish collar behind the head

Key identification features

• Dark grey to black forest snake
• Narrow yellowish neck collar
• Occurs in rainforest and moist eucalypt forest

Where it is found

From Gosford, New South Wales, to about Mackay, Queensland.

Diet

Feeds on small skinks.

Reproduction

Oviparous; AROD reports an average clutch size of 3.

Medical significance

The checked sources do not establish important human medical effects. Do not handle it or use this wording as a safety test; call 000 for any possible bite.

What to do if you encounter one

Keep your distance and leave the snake a clear route away. Do not handle it, chase it for a photograph or attempt to inspect its mouth. If it is inside a building, keep people and pets clear and contact a qualified local snake catcher.

Similar-looking snakes

Photo: dhfischer · CC BY 4.0 (Licence)

Elapidae

Golden-crowned Snake

Cacophis squamulosus

A dark snake with a yellowish streak along each side of the neck and onto the head. The checked range runs from the Goulburn region of New South Wales north to Proserpine in Queensland.

Open identification guide →

Photo: Greg Tasney · CC BY-SA 4.0 (Licence)

Elapidae

White-crowned Snake

Cacophis harriettae

The White-crowned Snake is a small dark snake of moist eastern Australian habitats. It has a broad white collar across the nape and a dark head.

Open identification guide →