Southern dwarf crownedSnake (cacophis kreffttii)
Toxicity: Weakly venomous. Not considered dangerous.
Description: The Southern Dwarf Crowned Snake is the smallest of the crowned snakes reaching 30cm long. It’s crown is a narrow light coloured band that runs around the back of the head. It has a small head and small eyes. The head and body colour varies from dark brown through grey to black. The head is generally darker than the body.
The ventral scales are generally yellow or white with dark bands between them. This individual has a pattern of light coloured triangles running down the centre, similar in design to the pattern on Golden-crowned Snakes.
The Southern Dwarf Crowned Snake is a member of the front fanged venomous Elapid family.
General habits: The Southern Dwarf Crowned Snake is distributed along the coast from the central NSW coast to mid-east QLD. It is a nocturnal snake, spending the day under rocks or leaf litter. When threatened, the Southern Dwarf Crowned Snake may mock-strike with the mouth closed.
Diet: Almost exclusively eats skinks.
Locally: Rarely found in the Tweed, although they are probably widespread. Generally Southern Dwarf Crowned Snakes will only come into contact with people if they are found under something in the garden or are caught by the cat.
Reproduction: Southern Dwarf Crowned Snakes lay eggs.
Distinctive triangular markings on the ventral scales of this Southern Dwarf Crowned Snake.
This individual is a brown colour with slightly darker head and small eyes.