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

The 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").

Appearance

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 : 50–60 cm. The species possesses a weak venom and is generally considered harmless due to small size of mouth and inoffensive nature.

Distribution

This species 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. Recently found in Cannonvale in the Whitsunday region of North Queensland. In Southeast Queensland it is sound across a wide range of habitats and vegetation types, from coastal forest & woodland, to scrubland, mulga and outback desert.

Behavior

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

The Bandy-bandy has been known to feed on Ramphotyphlops sp. (Blind Snakes)

Around the home

The snake is 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.

References in Popular Culture

Music artist Zap Mama has a track called "Bandy Bandy" (with Erykah Badu) on the album Ancestry in Progress (2004). The song advises the listener to "wave your body" "like bandy bandy."