Nature Notes - Bandy Bandy

Features

The Bandy-bandy (Vermicella annulata) is a spectacularly striking black and white banded snake.

Adaptations

The alternating colour pattern of black and white rings can play tricks on the eyes of potential predators, making it difficult to see which direction the snake is going, and which is the head or tail end. This confusing trick is called 'flicker fusion'.

Bandy-bandys are nocturnal and are sometimes seen on the road at night especially after rain.

Habitat

Bandy-bandys live in sub-terranean (underground) habitats.

Range

Central Australian Deserts, Northern and Eastern Australia

Wild Status

Unknown

Diet

Bandy-bandys are believed to live exclusively on a group of snakes called blind snakes. They can swallow prey almost as large as their own body.

Predators

Owls

Home

Bandy-bandys live underground.

Life Span

Unknown

Size

Bandy-bandys grow up to 60 cm long

Reproduction

The young hatch from soft-shelled eggs

Extra Fun Facts

There are five species of Bandy-Bandy and four of them live in the Northern Territory.

The number and width of the black and white rings varies between males and females, and geographically.

Bandy-bandys belong to the same family as Australia's deadliest snakes. They have venom glands, however they produce very little venom and are unlikely to bite humans.

Compare with the Arizona Coral Snake of the Sonoran Desert.