Family : ELAPIDAE
Species : Calliophis intestinalis
Maximum Size : 50 cm

This small species has a powerful neurotoxic venom and should be approached with care. It inhabits forests areas, and sometimes overgrown areas of parks and gardens. It is ground dwelling, and feeds mainly on other snakes, particularly the tiny Brahminy Blind Snake.

It can be identified by the reddish-orange vertebral stripe, and the  red tail. On either side there is a pale lateral stripe. When threatened, the snake turns over to reveal the underside, which is  is dramatically patterned in black and white. 

The species is found in southern Thailand, the Malay Peninsula, Singapore, Java, Sumatra, Borneo and the Philippines.

Figs 1 to 3 : These three images are of a specimen found in a leafy, suburban part of Singapore.  The lowermost image is of the strikingly patterned underside.


References : H1, H2