Rufous Burrowing Snake (non-venomous)

Description: A small snake, up to 45 cm in total length. Back reddish or yellowish-brown in colour, without any markings. Head and body have an iridescent sheen. Dorsal scales weakly keeled. Ventral white. Young snakes dark grey in colour.

Habits and habitat: Normally found inside and on the edges of broad-leaf woodland, in hilly and mountainous areas. Also found in mountain grassland, where there is considerable mist of much of the year. Very secretive and nocturnal; usually hides under objects during the day. Often found after rain showers when the soil is damp. Sometimes falls into catchwaters. Is slow-moving, docile and inoffensive. Nocturnal.

Diet: Probably feeds on tiny earthworms and slugs, but this has not been confirmed. Usually does poorly in captivity.

Reproduction: One female laid 7 eggs in June.

Distribution: Although secretive and rather localized, is not rare. Recorded from several localities in central New Territories, Hong Kong Island and Lantau Island. Occurs in central and southern China, and northern Vietnam.

Diagnostic features: Slender body shape; uniform russet coloration dorsally, with no markings of any kind; dorsal scales weakly keeled; ventral scales white.