Elapidae
Pink Snake
Cryptophis incredibilis
A small, slender pink snake currently known from Prince of Wales Island.
Venomous
Identification and appearance
A small, slender snake with a fairly uniform pink upper surface and a pale belly. The known locality is Prince of Wales Island in the Torres Strait.
Typical length
AROD lists an average size of about 40 cm; no separate maximum is given.
Body build
slender
Key identification features
- Small, slender form
- Fairly uniform pink upper surface
- Prince of Wales Island locality
Where it is found
Known only from Prince of Wales Island in the Torres Strait.
Diet
Presumably feeds on small skinks.
Reproduction
Live-bearing
Medical significance
The sources checked document venom but do not establish species-specific effects in people. Treat any possible bite as an emergency and call 000.
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
The Black-striped Snake has a dark vertebral stripe, unlike the fairly uniform pink upper surface; do not approach to inspect.
Photo: Max Tibby · CC0 1.0 (Licence)
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.
Open identification guideSources checked
- Australian Reptile Online Database — Pink Snake (2026-09-25)
- The Reptile Database — Cryptophis incredibilis (2026-09-25)
- ANZCOR — First Aid Management of Australian Snake Bite (2026-09-25)
Still not sure?
Compare this snake with more clues.
A profile is a guide, not a reason to approach or handle a snake.