Small-eyed snake Facts
Small-eyed snake Facts
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| Interesting Small-eyed snake Facts: |
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| Small-eyed snake can reach 20 to 35 inches in length. Small-eyed snakes in the northern parts of their range are larger compared to small-eyed snakes in the southern areas. Males are larger than females. |
| Small-eyed snake has dark grey or black skin on the back and lateral sides of the body. Belly is creamy or bright pink colored and covered with dark spots or grey blotches. |
| Small-eyed snake has slightly flattened head with small, dark-colored eyes. Body is small or medium in size and covered with smooth scales. |
| Small-eyed snake is nocturnal creature (active during the night). |
| Small-eyed snake is a carnivore (meat-eater). Its diet is based on various types of lizards, small snakes and their eggs. Skinks are the most preferred type of food. |
| Small-eyed snake is an ambush predator. Since it eats lizards that are active during the day, small-eyed snake collects them from their night shelters. |
| Small-eyed snake rests during the day, usually hidden beneath the large rocks and logs or loose bark on the trees. |
| Natural enemies of small-eyed snake are large, mature members of its own species (phenomenon known as cannibalism). |
| Small-eyed snake does not attack humans unless it is provoked and cornered (in self-defense). It produces strong myotoxic venom which prevents normal functioning of muscles (including heart). Strength of venom depends on the geographic location. When left untreated, bite of small-eyed snake leads to renal failure and death. |
| Wound should be pressed and immobilized with bandage if possible. Bite of small-eyed snake requires immediate medical attention. Despite strong venom, only one man died as a result of small-eyed snake envenomation so far. |
| Small-eyed snakes hibernate (hibernation of cold-blooded creatures is known as "brumation") during the winter. Group of up to 29 small-eyed snakes overwinters in the narrow crevices of rocks. |
| Mating season of small-eyed snakes takes place during the spring (usually from September to October). |
| Males fight during the night to establish dominance and get opportunity to mate. |
| Females give birth to 4 to 8 live babies, usually during the summer and autumn. Litter size depends on the size of female (larger females give birth to more babies). Females reach sexual maturity at the length of 11 to 12 inches, males at the length of 10 to 13 inches, usually at the age of 2 to 3 years. |
| Exact lifespan of small-eyed snake is unknown. |
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