Variable Reed Snake facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Variable Reed Snake
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Colubridae
Genus:	Calamaria
Species:	C. lumbricoidea
Binomial name
Calamaria lumbricoidea Boie, 1827
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Synonyms
Calamaria vermiformis A.M.C. Duméril, Bibron & DUMÉRIL 1854 Calamaria temmincki A.M.C. Duméril, Bibron & DUMÉRIL 1854 Calamaria lumbricoidea A.M.C. Duméril& Bibron 1854 Calamaria melanorhynchos Bleeker 1860 Calamaria alkeni Bleeker 1860 Calamaria lumbricoidea Jan 1865 Calamaria vermiformis Jan 1865 Calamaria stahlknechtii STOLICZKA 1873 Calamaria stahlknechtii Boulenger 1885 Calamaria vermiformis var. sumatranus Lidth De Jeude 1890 Calamaria bungaroides Werner 1901 Calamaria bruegeli Mertens 1924 (fide Manthey 1983) Calamaria vermiformis Tweedie 1950 Calamaria vermiformis Tweedie 1954 Calamaria lumbricoidea Inger & Marx 1965 Calamaria vermiformis Hendrickson 1966 Calamaria lumbricoidea Grandison 1972 Calamaria lumbricoidea Manthey & Grossmann 1997 Calamaria lumbricoidea Cox et al. 1998 Calamaria lumbricoidea Inger & Voris 2001

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The Variable Reed Snake, known scientifically as Calamaria lumbricoidea, is a small and shy snake. It is part of the Colubridae family, which is a very large group of snakes found all over the world. This snake gets its name "reed snake" because it often lives among reeds and other plants near water. It is also called "variable" because its appearance can change a bit between different individuals.

About the Variable Reed Snake

The Variable Reed Snake is a type of dwarf snake. This means it stays quite small, usually not growing very long. These snakes are not dangerous to humans. They are known for being secretive and often hide away from sight.

Where It Lives

The Variable Reed Snake is found in several countries in Southeast Asia. Its home includes:

• Thailand
• Western Malaysia
• Singapore
• Indonesia
• Philippines

It likes to live in places where it can find plenty of cover. This includes forests, gardens, and areas with lots of leaf litter or loose soil.

A map showing where the Variable Reed Snake lives.

What It Looks Like

Variable Reed Snakes are usually slender with smooth, shiny scales. Their colors can vary, but they often have shades of brown, reddish-brown, or black. Some might have lighter patterns or bands on their bodies. Their heads are usually small and not much wider than their bodies. This helps them burrow easily.

Size and Appearance

These snakes are quite small, typically growing to about 30 to 40 centimeters (about 12 to 16 inches) in length. This makes them easy to miss in their natural habitat. Their small size helps them move through tight spaces underground or under leaves.

What It Eats

Variable Reed Snakes are carnivores, meaning they eat other animals. Because of their small size, they hunt small prey. Their diet mainly consists of soft-bodied invertebrates.

Favorite Foods

• Earthworms: These are a common food source for many small, burrowing snakes.
• Slugs: Another soft-bodied creature that is easy for them to catch and eat.
• Insect larvae: Young insects that live in the soil can also be part of their diet.

They use their sense of smell to find their prey in the leaf litter or soil.

How It Behaves

The Variable Reed Snake is mostly active at night, which means it is a nocturnal animal. During the day, it usually hides to stay safe from predators and to avoid the heat.

Hiding and Burrowing

These snakes are excellent at hiding. They spend a lot of their time:

• Burrowing in soft soil
• Hiding under rocks
• Staying beneath fallen logs
• Burrowing in leaf litter

This behavior helps them find food and stay safe. It also makes them hard for people to spot in the wild.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

Like most snakes, Variable Reed Snakes reproduce by laying eggs. The female snake will lay a small clutch of eggs in a hidden, safe place. This could be under a log, in a burrow, or in a pile of decaying plants.

Baby Snakes

Once the eggs hatch, tiny baby snakes emerge. They are miniature versions of the adults and are ready to find their own food and hide from predators right away. The parents do not care for the young after they hatch.

Conservation Status

The Variable Reed Snake is currently listed as "Least Concern" by the IUCN. This means that, for now, its population is stable and it is not considered to be at high risk of extinction.

Why It's Important

Even though it's small, the Variable Reed Snake plays a role in its ecosystem. By eating small invertebrates, it helps control their populations. Protecting its habitat, like forests and natural areas, is important for this snake and many other animals.