Simoselaps minimus

Simoselaps minimus, also known as the Dampierland burrowing snake, is a species of mildly venomous burrowing snake that is endemic to Australia.^[1][2][3] The specific epithet minimus (“least”) refers to the species’ relatively small size.^[3]

Simoselaps minimus
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Elapidae
Genus:	Simoselaps
Species:	S. minimus
Binomial name
Simoselaps minimus (Worrell, 1960)
Synonyms[2]
Melwardia minima Worrell 1960 Vermicella minima – Storr 1978

Description

The species grows to an average of about 22 cm in length.^[3] It has a pale brown upper body, cream snout, and two black blotches on head and nape.^[2]

Behaviour

The species is oviparous.^[3]

Distribution and habitat

The species occurs in the Dampierland bioregion of the western Kimberley region of Western Australia, where the characteristic habitat is pindan woodland. The type locality is Broome.^[2]