The northern small-eyed snake (Cryptophis pallidiceps), also called the secretive snake, is a small venomous snake in the family Elapidae. Adults attain lengths of just 40-50 cm. They are nocturnal and can be found in tropical bushland, hiding during the day under logs and rocks and emerging at night to forage for lizards, frogs, and other small snakes. I came across this snake on a firetrail around midnight, and after noticing me it clumsily slithered into a patch of nearby leaves. After searching briefly I was able to uncover the snake and get a better look at the salmon color on the sides of the body and its iridescent smooth scales. This species is reluctant to bite but has potent venom and should be treated with caution.
Photographed after pursuit [3]
