Bandy Bandy Snake
Vermicella annulata
Weakly Venomous
Other common names: 'Hoop' snake
Species Profile
Bandy Bandy Snake
Significance to Humans
Weakly Venomous
The Bandy Bandy is weakly venomous, but its bites typically cause localised symptoms around the bite area. Due to its small mouth and inoffensive nature, it is generally considered harmless to humans.
General Description
Smooth-scaled, glossy snake with a distinctive pattern of sharply contrasting black and white rings that encircle its entire body. It has a black, rounded snout, small eyes, and a short, blunt tail. Midbody scales at 15 rows.
Average Length
Measures between 50 and 60 cm in length.
Habitat in SE Qld
The Bandy Bandy can be found across a wide range of habitats and vegetation types, from coastal forests and woodlands to scrublands, mulga, and outback deserts.
General habits
As a nocturnal snake, the Bandy Bandy is primarily active at night. It is a burrowing species, found beneath the soil surface, under stumps, rocks, and logs. It emerges during the night to forage, especially after rain. One of its unique habits is an alarm posture where it holds braced loops of its body off the ground.
Diet
Diet consists of feeding on Ramphotyphlops sp (Blind Snakes).
Local distribution
Favours periphery suburbs with woodland habitats, such as Mt Cotton, Mt Crosby, Kholo, Brisbane, and Lockyer Valleys. It is most commonly found in areas with remnant habitat structure, such as Brisbane Forest Park and the foothills of Mt Glorious.
Around the home
The Bandy Bandy is infrequently encountered around homes. Occasional specimens may be discovered by roaming cats at night, and they are sometimes found after falling into backyard swimming pools. Prefers subterranean refugia under large rocks or deeply set ground timber.
Bandy Bandy Snake Gallery
