Reptiles and Frogs
Snakes
Sighting 3374945

Cryptophis nigrescens

1 Eastern Small-eyed Snake at Kalaru, NSW

Cryptophis nigrescens at Kalaru, NSW - 19 Dec 2016
Cryptophis nigrescens at Kalaru, NSW - 19 Dec 2016
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Identification history

Cryptophis nigrescens 1 Jul 2018 PatrickCampbell
Cryptophis nigrescens 26 Mar 2017 MichaelMcMaster

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4 comments

JackieMiles wrote:
   10 Aug 2017
Granted there is no hint of a red belly in this photo, but the top of head scale pattern could be either red-bellied black or small-eyed snake, which appear from my copy of Cogger to be very similar. So it would be helpful to know a bit more about it, like the size. The photo suggests it was out and about in the daytime, whereas small-eyed snake is supposed to be nocturnal.
PatrickCampbell wrote:
   1 Jul 2018
The relatively small eye diameter compared to the rest of the head and the rounded head esp. in cross-section as seen in the photo indicates that this specimen is a Small-eyed Snake (Cryptophis nigrescens). Red-bellies have a much larger relative eye diameter and a more distinct canthus rostralis and overhanging eyebrow ridge.

The dropdown menu on this site currently has Rhinoplocephalus which needs changing to Cryptophis.
JackieMiles wrote:
   1 Jul 2018
Fixed. Checked this guy against our numerous black snake photos and I'd have to say the eye size and head shape are a bit subtle, but our black snakes certainly have a marked eyebrow ridge not present in this image. Good to know, thanks.
PatrickCampbell wrote:
   3 Jul 2018
It's my pleasure. Thanks Jackie

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