Cylindrophis ruffus facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cylindrophis ruffus
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Genus:	Cylindrophis
Species:	ruffus
Synonyms
Anguis ruffa Laurenti, 1768 [Anguis] rufus - Gmelin, 1788 [Anguis] striatus Gmelin, 1788 Eryx rufus - Daudin, 1803 [Tortrix] rufa - Merrem, 1820 [Scytale] Schuechzeri Merrem, 1820 A[guis]. (E[lysia].) rufus - Hemprich, 1820 Ilysia rufa - Lichtenstein, 1823 Cylindrophis resplendens Wagler, 1828 [Tortrix] rufus - Gray, 1831 Cylindrophis rufa - Gray, 1842 Cylindrophis rufus - Cantor, 1847 Anguis rubra - Gray, 1849 Anguis rufa Var. Javanica Gray, 1849 Cylindrophis rufus - Boulenger, 1893 Cylindrophis rufus rufus - M.A. Smith, 1943 Cylindrophis rufus burmanus M.A. Smith, 1943 Cylindrophis rufus - Campden-Main, 1970

The red-tailed pipe snake is also known as the red cylinder snake or common pipe snake. Its scientific name is Cylindrophis ruffus. This snake is not venomous, meaning it is harmless to humans. It belongs to a group of snakes called the pipe snakes. You can find this interesting snake living in Southeast Asia.

About the Red-Tailed Pipe Snake

These snakes can grow to be quite long. Adult red-tailed pipe snakes can reach up to 39 inches (1 meter) in length. They have smooth scales on their backs.

Unlike some other snakes, the red-tailed pipe snake cannot open its mouth very wide. Because of this, they mostly eat long, thin animals. Their favorite foods include other snakes, special worm-like creatures called caecilians, and eels.

Where They Live

The red-tailed pipe snake lives in many countries across Southeast Asia. You can find them in places like Myanmar and southern China. This includes areas such as Fujian, Hong Kong, and Hainan Island.

They also live further south in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand. Their home range extends to the Malay Peninsula and the East Indies. This includes many islands in Indonesia, such as Sumatra, Borneo, Java, and Sulawesi.