Cryptophis

Small-eyed snakes
Cryptophis - Worrell, 1961

Pronunciation:

kript-OH-fiss

Etymology:

'hidden snake'.

Taxonomic notes:

Members of this genus were previously placed in Rhinoplocephalus.

Notes:

Statistics:

Reproductive modes:
Live-bearing - 5 out of 5 Australian species

Size range:
Smallest Australian species: pink snake (Cryptophis incredibilis) at 40 cm
Longest Australian species: eastern small-eyed snake (Cryptophis nigrescens) at up to 120 cm

Number of Australian species:


Moranbah, Queensland Photo © Stewart Macdonald		Cryptophis boschmai Carpentaria snake Year described (Brongersma & Knaap-van Meeuwen 1964) Description Nasal scale separated from preocular. Colouration can be tan, brown or dark brown above, sometimes lighter on sides, giving the impression of a faint dark stripe down the back. Scales usually dark-edged.

Prince of Wales Island, Queensland Photo © Steve Wilson		Cryptophis incredibilis Pink snake Year described (Wells & Wellington 1985) Description Small and slender; uniform pink above, belly white.

Mount Glorious, Queensland Photo © Stewart Macdonald		Cryptophis nigrescens Eastern small-eyed snake Year described (Günther 1862) Description Uniform black above; belly colouration varies from cream to pinkish red, occasionally with dark spots and blotches.

Palm Cove, Queensland Photo © Brendan Schembri		Cryptophis nigrostriatus Black-striped snake Year described (Krefft 1964) Description Slender; reddish-brown to pink above with a dark vertebral stripe extending the length of the body; head dark, merging with the dark vertebral stripe.

North Kimberley, Western Australia Photo © Henry Cook		Cryptophis pallidiceps Northern small-eyed snake Year described (Günther 1858) Description Brown, grey to black above, sometimes paler on head; lower flanks yellowish to orange; belly white.

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