Cacophis krefftii

Cacophis krefftii is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae.^[4][3] The species is endemic to Australia.^[3]

Cacophis krefftii
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Elapidae
Genus:	Cacophis
Species:	C. krefftii
Binomial name
Cacophis krefftii Günther, 1863[2]
Synonyms[3]
Cacophis krefftii Günther, 1863 Pseudelaps krefftii — Boulenger, 1896 Cacophis krefftii — Cogger, 1983

Etymology

The specific name, krefftii, is in honor of German-born Australian naturalist Gerard Krefft.^[5]

Common names

Common names for C. krefftii include dwarf crowned snake,^[6] southern dwarf crowned snake,^[7] and Krefft's dwarf snake.^[3]

Description

C. krefftii may attain a total length (including tail) of 34.5 cm (13.6 in). Dorsally, it is dark gray, with a yellow nuchal collar. Ventrally it is yellow, with some black at the edges of the ventral scales.^[8]

Geographic range

The geographic range of C. krefftii extends from the Central Coast of New South Wales to South East Queensland.^[9]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of C. krefftii is forest.^[1]

Behavior

C. krefftii is terrestrial and nocturnal.^[1] When threatened it may raise the anterior part of its body, in the manner of a cobra.^[8]

Diet

C. krefftii preys upon sleeping diurnal skinks.^[8]

Reproduction

C. krefftii is oviparous.^[3]