Formosa slug snake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Formosa slug snake |
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Amblycephalus formosensis Van Denburgh, 1909 |
The Formosa slug snake is also known as the Taiwan slug snake. Its scientific name is Pareas formosensis. This snake is not venomous, meaning it is harmless to humans. It belongs to the snake family called Pareatidae.
This special snake lives only in Taiwan. When an animal or plant lives only in one specific place, it is called endemic.
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About the Formosa Slug Snake
The Formosa slug snake is a small snake. It can grow up to about 70 centimeters (27.5 inches) long. These snakes live in moist forests, especially in the mountains.
They are nocturnal, which means they are active at night. During the day, they usually rest or hide.
What They Eat
Formosa slug snakes love to eat land snails and slugs. Their bodies are specially made to help them catch and eat these slippery creatures.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Female Formosa slug snakes lay eggs. They usually lay a group of 2 to 9 eggs at one time. This group of eggs is called a clutch.
When the baby snakes hatch, they are very small. They are usually about 15 centimeters (6 inches) long.
How to Tell Them Apart
It can be tricky to tell different types of snakes apart. The Formosa slug snake has a special feature. It has a red iris, which is the colored part of its eye.
It also has very smooth dorsal scales. These are the scales on its back. These features help scientists tell it apart from other similar snakes in Taiwan.
Where They Live
The Formosa slug snake lives all over the mountain areas of Taiwan. However, you won't find them in the very north-eastern part of the island. They prefer the cooler, moist conditions of the mountains.
