Sunbeam Snake

Southeast Asia Snakes

Snakes ~ Other Snakes ~ Sunbeam Snake

The nocturnal sunbeam snake is a large and stout fossorial snake that usually emerges from the ground to escape its burrow during heavy rains. Otherwise, they are rarely seen out of the ground. They produce a very foul musk when threatened or handled. The flanks and dorsal scales are brownish grey but extremely irridescent, hence the name 'sunbeam snake'.

The ventrals are white and the head is poorly-defined from the neck. The snout has a flat shape and the eyes appear almost opaque due to the large pupils. They will eat small mammals, frogs, lizards and other snakes in the wild. This species is native to much of Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Borneo.