Bandy-bandy

Bandy-bandy
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Family:	Elapidae
Genus:	Vermicella
Species:	Vermicella annulata
Binomial name
Vermicella annulata (Gray, 1841)
Synonyms
Hoop Snake

Bandy-bandy (Vermicella annulata) is a species of snake in the Elapidae family. It is endemic to Australia.

Individuals are marked with alternating black and white or yellowish bands, which give the species both its common names and the Latin name (from the diminutive form, annul-, of the Latin anus, meaning "ring").

The species possesses a weak venom and is generally considered harmless due to small size of mouth and inoffensive nature.

Other information:

General description

Smooth scaled, glossy snake with distinctive pattern of sharply contrasting black and white rings that continue right around the body. Snout black, rounded. Short, blunt tail. Small eyes. Midbody scales at 15 rows.

Average Length

50-60cm

Habitat in SE Qld

Founds across a wide range of habitats and vegetation types, from coastal forest & woodland, to scrubland, mulga and outback desert.

General habits

Nocturnal, burrowing snake, found beneath the soil surface, under stumps, rocks & logs. Emerges at night to forage, especially after rain. Unique alarm posture of holding braced loops of body off ground.

Diet

Feeds on Ramphotyphlops sp (Blind Snakes)

Local distribution

Favors periphery suburbs with woodland habitats such as Mt Cotton, Mt Crosby, Kholo, Brisbane & Lockyer Valleys. Most common in areas of remnant habitat structure such as the foothills of Mt Glorious and Brisbane Forest Park

Around the home

Infrequently encountered. Occasional specimens discovered by roaming cats at night or often found after falling into backyard swimming pools. Prefers subterranean refugia under large rocks or deeply set ground timber.