SUMMARY

• VENOM: None

• PREVALENCE: Common

• ACTIVE PERIOD: Active at night

• KEY ID FEATURES: Grey/brown, black or red eyes, light venter, keeled spine

• BEHAVIOR: Docile and slow moving, may squirm if handled but almost never bites

• SIZE: Small - 30-60cm

• OTHER: Specialized jaw for extracting snails from their shells

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

Up to 60cm in length, the Mirkwood Forest Slug Snake is a relatively small slow moving snake with a grey/brown body when mature. They have a rounded specialized head with a thinner neck and proportioned body that is heavily keeled. Very distinctive red lacquer colored eyes with small vertical pupils in specimens from Cameron Highlands localities, with Frasers Hill specimens showing characteristic black/grey eyes. Nonvenomous and completely docile, the Mirkwood Forest Slug Snake is an inoffensive species.

BEHAVIOR

Completely nocturnal the Mirkwood Forest Slug Snake is a docile hunter of snails and small slugs. Generally they will stay still when approached and may squirm when handled but never bite and are not known to musk heavily. May display defensive behavior including playing dead or rolling into a ball especially as juveniles. This species is also often found on the ground unlike is cousin the Mountain Keeled Slug Snake, which is more regularly found in trees and low shrubs.

HABITAT

Live in moist forested areas where their exclusive diet of small snails and slugs can be found. They prefer higher elevations and cooler temperatures. They thrive in forested habitats that frequently experience cloud mist. The Mirkwood Forest Slug Snake is relatively common in its range.

MISTAKEN IDENTITY

NO SNAKE SHOULD EVER BE HANDLED BY ANYONE BUT EXPERTS: Generally unique in appearance and temperament but could be mistaken for other slug snakes like the Mountain Keeled Slug Snake. It should be noted that small snakes can be particularly dangerous due to difficulty in properly identifying them and difficulty handling them. As such they should never be handled or approached.