SUMMARY
VENOM: None
PREVALENCE: Less Common
ACTIVE PERIOD: Active at night
KEY ID FEATURES: Black and white/grey/pink irregular banding, head wider than neck, ~80cm long when mature
BEHAVIOR: Hunts on the ground at night but is a good climber, moves slow but capable of striking and musking if handled, generally will flee
SIZE: Small - 60-80cm
IUCN: LC - Least Concerned
OTHER: Can easily be mistaken with Many Banded Krait and possibly Banded Krait
QUICK ASSESSMENT 0-10
GALLERY
IMPORTANT: Many snakes have significant variance in coloration and pattern even within the same species. There can also be extreme differences in appearance from juveniles to adults so it is important to never assume you have properly identified a snake.
DESCRIPTION
Black and white or sometimes pink or grey banding and very similar to the Many Banded Krait in appearance. Banding generally lower contrast than on the Many Banded Krait. Bands also tend to stay uniform in spacing the length of the body and are also irregular with uneven edges. Head is larger than the neck making it larger than the Many Banded Kraits head. Reaching a length of ~80cm.
BEHAVIOR
Active at night and mainly hunts lizards. Generally docile when approached they are not quick to bite but will do so if disturbed or handled. Normally slow and deliberate in their movement they are capable of moving quickly when fleeing. Hunt near water sources, forest floors and water conduits. Often found at higher elevations up to 700+m. Capable of secreting a very strong musk from the anal glands as a defensive measure.
HABITAT
The Futsing Wolf Snake is a terrestrial species often hunting in forested areas or water culverts at higher elevations. It is extremely rare in Hong Kong. A less common encounter for most given its rarity and nocturnal nature, it is possible though very unlikely to bump into one on the trail and if so they should be give a wide berth and left alone due to similar appearance with the deadly Many Banded Krait.
MISTAKEN IDENTITY
NO SNAKE SHOULD EVER BE HANDLED BY ANYONE BUT EXPERTS: The Futsing Wolf Snake can be potentially confused with both the Banded and Many Banded Krait, both of which are deadly species. A Futsing Wolf Snake should never be handled or approached due to the potential for confusing species. Visit the 'Practical Venomous Snake ID' section of the Snake ID page for tips on identifying some of the more common venomous species.