Malaysia Reed Snakes

Tweedie's Reed Snake
Macrocalamus tweediei
Size : Up to 50 cm

Schulz's Reed Snake
Macrocalamus schulzi
Size : Up to 50 cm

Mountain Reed Snake
Macrocalamus chanardi
Size : Up to 25 cm

Snakes ~ Reed Snakes

Reed Snakes are a common but rarely-seen species in Peninsular Malaysia due to their fossorial nature and diminutive size. In Peninsular Malaysia, several species are known including Calamaria lumbricoieda, Calamaria schlegelii, Macrocalamus tweediei, Macrocalamus lateralis, Macrocalamus chanardi, Macrocalamus schulzi and Oreocalamus hanitschi.

Macrocalamus species occurs mostly on the highlands in hilly habitat and well-watered biotopes while Calamaria species occur mostly in lowland to mid-level rainforest. Some species are endemic to Peninsular Malaysia. Reed snakes are most likely crepuscular and feed on earth worms and burrowing insects in the wild. Some species demonstrate bright ontogenic colours during juvenilehood, often in the form of a red head and coloured markings on the body.